Snow Angel Blessing
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes, 36 seconds
Love Warmed Our Heart on a Cold Lincoln’s Birthday in 1975
During the winter of 1975, just six months before our wedding, I went for a walk with Jan, my beloved partner, in the tranquil surroundings of Ft. Greene Park, across the street from her apartment. The air was frigid, and the ground was covered with a thick blanket of snow. The sudden winter storm had brought the heaviest snowfall of the year, with a whopping 7.8 inches of snow. Jan, a drug counselor at Brooklyn Automotive, had taken the day off for the holiday. Walking on the un-shoveled snow, it felt like we had stepped into a scene from the timeless classic novel and popular movie, “Dr. Zhivago.” The only sound we could hear was the crisp crunch of our boots on the icy terrain, which added to the serene and peaceful atmosphere.
Snow Angels
Jan lay on the ground and insisted, “Let’s make snow angels.” I joined her, and we made paired angels. I tried to help her stand up, but our feet kept slipping. Eventually, we succeeded, but as soon as I let go of her hand, she grabbed some snow and threw it at my face. I retaliated with a handful of snow, but we both laughed. We continued walking across the park, pretending to be Lara and Yuri and trying to maintain our balance on the snowy ground.
Six weeks earlier, Jan had excitedly told her parents we were getting married, but their response was far from positive. We traveled to New Jersey by bus to celebrate her mother’s birthday, but instead of congratulating her, we received a disappointed reaction: “You ruined my birthday.” Despite the opposition from her family, we both remained committed to getting married. However, my wife tended to be more pragmatic, while I was more inclined towards romance.
While walking in the snow, I couldn’t help but wonder about her decision regarding our future together. I was uncertain whether she would ultimately choose to marry me or accept her parent’s opposition. We discussed various things on our way, shared our thoughts, and enjoyed each other’s company. The sun was shining, and the breeze was cool, perfecting the atmosphere around us.
Love is a Powerful and Transformative Force.
Once we decided to leave the park, we walked up the four flights of stairs to her apartment. As we removed our coats, she turned to me, kissed me, and said, “I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” Her words filled my heart with joy, and I couldn’t help but hug her tightly and kiss her back. The moment was perfect, and I felt I was on top of the world.
After that, we spent the evening talking and laughing, enjoying each other’s company. Looking back, I realize it was a turning point in our almost half-century relationship. The rest, as they say, is history.
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After almost 48 years, I recently lost my wife, Jan Lilien. Like The Little Prince, Jan and I believed that “The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or touched, they are felt with the heart.” This blog is a collection of my random thoughts on love, grief, life, and all things considered.
Why the parents were against your marriage? Such a nice guy like you!!!
Thanks for your comment, Hugo. I appreciate your confidence in me being a nice guy. However, the truth is that being nice doesn’t always lead to success. In my case, Jan’s parents were not happy with me due to my appearance and religious differences. Despite Jan’s practical nature, we still got married, and I documented the experience in a post, “We Are Getting Married!“. The inspiration for the story you are referring to came from the light snowfall this week, which reminded me of the tension that can arise between a practical partner and a romantic one in a relationship. Being a romantic is a part of my DNA, and I will always embrace it as an inspiration.
It’s wonderful to hear stories about true love.
Danny, thanks for your comment. In this modern era, the word love is often used casually and loses its true meaning. But to me, it is unlike any other word with four letters. It is the most potent force in the universe, capable of bringing about personal and collective salvation.
Recently, I was blessed with the opportunity to experience love again, and it felt like a dream come true. However, I soon realized that love requires reciprocity. If it is not mutual, it is not the true love that I seek. I am unwilling to settle for anything less than what I once had.
In a world where love can be fleeting and elusive, we must hold on to it with all our might. All we need is love, and with it, we can conquer any challenge that comes our way.