On December 11, I blogged about Melvin and Doris Cornelson – a couple who passed away of natural causes within hours of each other. A sign of true love.
It’s a more common occurrence than one might think, and yet still many refuse to believe or even accept the real possibility that a person’s life can cease existing because of a broken heart – because of true love.
I’m happy to offer you another real-world example.
I consider myself honored and truly blessed that Nancy stumbled upon my blog post about Melvin and Doris, and wanted to share her wonderful story with me.
Nancy and her family have something in common with the Cornelson’s. You see her parents, Delores and Joseph Madden, passed away within eight hours of each other after 62 years of marriage.
Nancy’s email stated that “They were both declining from heart disease, and knew their time on this earth was nearly over. They never wanted to be apart and their heart’s desire was that they would go together. God gave them the desire of their hearts. Truly, truly amazing!”
Admittedly, my eyes welled up with tears as Nancy recanted the story of her parents, who both lived to see their family grow to some 84 members including their seven children, spouses, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Of her mother Nancy says, “She was so blessed to have lived long enough to see her family grow to this size. Her mother would always remark, “And to think it all started with one little kiss”.
This will be the first year that Nancy and her wonderful family will spend without their parents, grandparents and great-grandparents. And while I’m sure their presence will be missed, their history books are filled with cherished family memories and a legacy that can be seen by simply looking in the faces of their children – a legacy I have no doubt will be passed along for generations.
I’ve been married now for almost 12 years to a woman I’m still unsure how I was blessed to find. She is my best friend and definitely the keeper of my heart.
Many times we’ve spoken about how we couldn’t imagine living without the other – that there would be such a void within our hearts that nothing could ever make us smile again. And much like Nancy’s parents, I hope that we’re added into the illustrious club of those who love so true and pure that they never want to live without it.
There is a wonderful quote by Winnie the Pooh, which gets me choked up every time I read it. I have a feeling that Melvin and Doris and Delores and Joseph would think it a fitting conclusion.
“If you live to be 100, I hope I live to be 100 minus 1 day, so I never have to live without you.”
~ Winnie the Pooh
Thank you for sharing your story of love with all of us Nancy, and happy holidays to you and your entire family.
A big thank you my sister Nancy and to you Craig for retelling the beautiful story of our parent’s life and death. We were blessed to have them in our lives for so long and blessed with their love which we will cherish and share forever. No coincidence but a miracle. Merry Christmas!
Our family was blessed to share life and death with our loving parents. Their undying love and amazing passing holding hands and at peace was a gift to our entire family.