Thank you for sharing this personal side of your life with us. Your words give a gentle reminder to us to take inventory and appreciate all the good we do still have in our lives, even in the face of such difficult times. Thank you for that reminder and God bless you and your very special wife.
I lost the love of my life nearly 4 years ago. We had 59 years together and I'm so very grateful for every one of them. We have two amazing sons who married well and they have given us 4 wonderful grandsons. My family brings me both pride and joy. But as a friend who lost his wife told me - the pain of such a loss never goes away. It doesn't! Still, I know I am blessed that our marriage gave us opportunities to thrive and challenges that made us stronger. Life truly is the bitter with the sweet.
You, Dr. Malone may be a renowned scientist, but you are also a gifted artist; a writer of beautiful imagery, topical history; all contextualized via deep spiritual emotions and feelings that draw in your readers (well, me at least) almost as if we were witnesses to the story.. Thank you!
Exactly! I truly was so emotional- but happy emotions which brought back wonderful memories of my birth state and the path of my parent’s meeting in Sacramento after WWII. Lovely love song indeed!
Yes Sir, and it all goes by way too fast doesn't it.
I grew up on a quarter horse named Star, 25 years with that same ride.. beginning in grade school all the way to pictures riding her with my son (and i was about 30 then).. We grew up pretty wild and free didn't we? And i don't mean today's version of wild. Just free range kids that were also expected to be responsible and make our own way in this world.
You are the best writer ever. You bring tears to my eyes more often than not. What a total inspiration you are no matter the subject. If our leadership in the nation was like you we would all have peace and our children could have a future! Thank you again my Hero! Blessings of the Lord be upon you and Jill.
Nice story. I grew up in the 40's through 60's in Montana a paradise for young people. My grandfather had horses which we trained and sold, I played all sports, football, basketball, track and baseball, so was busy all year long, and when not busy with sports helped my grandfather. The houses were never locked, keys were left in cars and trucks, people helped each other and a young boy could play all day, riding his bike all over town with friends and also down at the Yellowstone river fishing and swimming. Getting home just in time for dinner. Ice skating and skiing in the winter, lots of ice hockey, plus my grandfather had a sleigh and the horses could be hitched to the sleigh, and of course snowball fights with all the other kids. I was fortunate that my grandfather and grandmother took real good care of me and let me spend lots of time playing all over our small town of 2500.
My husband sounded just like you here reminiscing about his youth growing up in Montana. He has passed now but left me with a love of that great state. Any state where the legislature meets every other year has got to have something going for it!
What a great description of what used to be one of the most bucolic, rustic yet majestic areas on the California coast. If I recall, Goleta is where the small airport is, and The Beachside where we always stopped on the way down the coast. What a childhood wonderland. An idyllic tale of coming to young adulthood, finding a life long companionship, living that dream we all yearn for....what a gift from God, the life you and Jill have created and worked to achieve together. Thank you for sharing this gift in a world that has gone mad.....there is Truth in the human spirit after all.
“How to handle a woman” was always my favorite, and Richard Harris singing it. 🎼 🎼
When you were describing the E/W mountain ranges along the 101 there, I was searching for the word....it is Transverse Ranges. They are the only range, I believe, in CA oriented in this completely juxtaposed direction from other mountain ranges. So interesting, the geology of CA. Too bad that human greed and short sighted vanity and power have so destroyed the once Golden State.
Betsy Mayer from Wolftown--just down the road from you in Madison County. I, too, was raised in California. Lived all over the state--Northern, Central, and Southern. But am so grateful to have spent ages 11-24 years in the Sierra Nevadas, either off of Highway 50 or 80, about an hour from Lake Tahoe. I backpacked in the high country and along the N. California coast. I mourn the loss of the California of my childhood and youth. 40 years ago I moved to rural Virginia. I use to chafe at and scorn the suggestion that the Blue Ridge were mountains, but I have come to love them and treasure their wisdom. God bless you both!
What a beautiful story and life the two of you created and have shared. I feel like I know you personally. You are heros, giants amongst the madness of our times. Thank you for being who you are and for always doing the right thing. I have no doubt you have saved countless lives and given hope to even more. It's totally insufficient, but thank you. Thank you both from the bottom of my heart. God bless you both. Carry on.
Your love song brings back many memories being raised on a horse and cattle farm in Virginia ... sweet days! We had no idea they would prove to be the calm before the storm. Thank you for sharing your heart.
A breathtaking account of love...
Thank you for sharing this personal side of your life with us. Your words give a gentle reminder to us to take inventory and appreciate all the good we do still have in our lives, even in the face of such difficult times. Thank you for that reminder and God bless you and your very special wife.
Beautiful! Make me a bit melancholy - my husband died suddenly when I was 59 - he was my rock. At 82, I sill miss him and the marriage we had.
I am sorry for your loss Mary, loosing your husband so young is tragic. At least you were blessed with a wonderful marriage.
I lost the love of my life nearly 4 years ago. We had 59 years together and I'm so very grateful for every one of them. We have two amazing sons who married well and they have given us 4 wonderful grandsons. My family brings me both pride and joy. But as a friend who lost his wife told me - the pain of such a loss never goes away. It doesn't! Still, I know I am blessed that our marriage gave us opportunities to thrive and challenges that made us stronger. Life truly is the bitter with the sweet.
Sad. But your reunion will be sweet!
You, Dr. Malone may be a renowned scientist, but you are also a gifted artist; a writer of beautiful imagery, topical history; all contextualized via deep spiritual emotions and feelings that draw in your readers (well, me at least) almost as if we were witnesses to the story.. Thank you!
Very true! I so agree, and your words are beautiful!
Thank you Patricia
Who's cutting onions in here?!?!?!?
Someone is here doing that as well. Lovely, just lovely.
Exactly! I truly was so emotional- but happy emotions which brought back wonderful memories of my birth state and the path of my parent’s meeting in Sacramento after WWII. Lovely love song indeed!
Yes Sir, and it all goes by way too fast doesn't it.
I grew up on a quarter horse named Star, 25 years with that same ride.. beginning in grade school all the way to pictures riding her with my son (and i was about 30 then).. We grew up pretty wild and free didn't we? And i don't mean today's version of wild. Just free range kids that were also expected to be responsible and make our own way in this world.
Life is a gift, and a fleeting one.
My Quarter horse was named Jet Star! Raised him and trained him myself when I was 10-12 years old.
You are the best writer ever. You bring tears to my eyes more often than not. What a total inspiration you are no matter the subject. If our leadership in the nation was like you we would all have peace and our children could have a future! Thank you again my Hero! Blessings of the Lord be upon you and Jill.
Amen...
Nice story. I grew up in the 40's through 60's in Montana a paradise for young people. My grandfather had horses which we trained and sold, I played all sports, football, basketball, track and baseball, so was busy all year long, and when not busy with sports helped my grandfather. The houses were never locked, keys were left in cars and trucks, people helped each other and a young boy could play all day, riding his bike all over town with friends and also down at the Yellowstone river fishing and swimming. Getting home just in time for dinner. Ice skating and skiing in the winter, lots of ice hockey, plus my grandfather had a sleigh and the horses could be hitched to the sleigh, and of course snowball fights with all the other kids. I was fortunate that my grandfather and grandmother took real good care of me and let me spend lots of time playing all over our small town of 2500.
My husband sounded just like you here reminiscing about his youth growing up in Montana. He has passed now but left me with a love of that great state. Any state where the legislature meets every other year has got to have something going for it!
Beautiful. Just beautiful.
What a great description of what used to be one of the most bucolic, rustic yet majestic areas on the California coast. If I recall, Goleta is where the small airport is, and The Beachside where we always stopped on the way down the coast. What a childhood wonderland. An idyllic tale of coming to young adulthood, finding a life long companionship, living that dream we all yearn for....what a gift from God, the life you and Jill have created and worked to achieve together. Thank you for sharing this gift in a world that has gone mad.....there is Truth in the human spirit after all.
“How to handle a woman” was always my favorite, and Richard Harris singing it. 🎼 🎼
When you were describing the E/W mountain ranges along the 101 there, I was searching for the word....it is Transverse Ranges. They are the only range, I believe, in CA oriented in this completely juxtaposed direction from other mountain ranges. So interesting, the geology of CA. Too bad that human greed and short sighted vanity and power have so destroyed the once Golden State.
I love this. The fight of our lives will soon begin. Covid will seem like a walk in the park.
Betsy Mayer from Wolftown--just down the road from you in Madison County. I, too, was raised in California. Lived all over the state--Northern, Central, and Southern. But am so grateful to have spent ages 11-24 years in the Sierra Nevadas, either off of Highway 50 or 80, about an hour from Lake Tahoe. I backpacked in the high country and along the N. California coast. I mourn the loss of the California of my childhood and youth. 40 years ago I moved to rural Virginia. I use to chafe at and scorn the suggestion that the Blue Ridge were mountains, but I have come to love them and treasure their wisdom. God bless you both!
What a beautiful story and life the two of you created and have shared. I feel like I know you personally. You are heros, giants amongst the madness of our times. Thank you for being who you are and for always doing the right thing. I have no doubt you have saved countless lives and given hope to even more. It's totally insufficient, but thank you. Thank you both from the bottom of my heart. God bless you both. Carry on.
A beautiful tribute to a life well lived with the love of your life. Here’s to many, many more years in love together.
Your love song brings back many memories being raised on a horse and cattle farm in Virginia ... sweet days! We had no idea they would prove to be the calm before the storm. Thank you for sharing your heart.
My very favorite from you, Dear Dr. Malone.
You two certainly have struck gold in your love for one another.