My Valentine of 35 years.... [View All]

I met Linda Lee 38 yrs ago and she didn't like me very much at the time. She was my secretary, and before me she had great bosses always telling her how great she was. I criticized the first document she typed for me and pointed out her errors in a constructive manner. She rushed off to the employees lounge in tears, and later when she went home, she told her mother that she would never work for that new bastard. She was engaged to be married in three weeks and decided that she could put up with me until then so she returned to work the next day.

Long story short, she changed her mind and we were married on St. Patrick's Day in 1973 and we had a beautiful baby daughter in 1977. Danielle, our daughter, suffered from brain trauma after a DPT vaccination and one of us would have to give up our career to provide her with daily care. At about the same time, I suffered a mild heart attack so the decision as to who would take care of Danielle was easy.

Linda continued her career and continued to climb the corporate ladder while always looking after us as well. She became well known and respected in her profession and although she had to travel a lot we had a wonderful life. She turned 60 last October 30th and we discussed her early retirement so we could spend more time together. Danielle is now 32 and still with us so we did everything as a family.

Linda's favorite time of year was Christmas and she just loved decorating, baking and especially shopping for presents,for us, and everyone else we knew or didn't know. This past Christmas we put up the tree and decorations and she was in her glory. Three weeks before Christmas she was told by her Doctor that they had found a small spot on her lung and it appeared very minor but suggested that she have it removed.

She decided to have it done immediately so that she would be home in time to open presents and make Christmas dinner. A simple in and out procedure with no chemo or radiation needed. She had the operation and came through without a hitch and in fact was talking and laughing.
The next day she was transferred to Intensive Care for an infection and was there for over a month.

Everyday Danielle was with her, holding her hand and reading to her, but she never recovered and passed away two weeks ago. Today was tough without my valentine but I bought her flowers anyway. As it turns out I am now a very rich man, almost a millionaire, but I would give it all back in a heartbeat, because without her I remain so poor.

So love the one you're with this Valentine's Day... life really is short.