SPEAK THEIR NAME
Someone I love has gone away
And life is not the same
The greatest gift you can give
Is to just speak their name
I need to hear the stories
And the tales of days gone past
I need for you to understand
These memories must last
We cannot make more memories
Since they are no longer here
So when you speak of them to me
It music to my ear
Donna Taggart’s “Jealous Of The Angels”!!!!!
This is Connie & Sparkie’s story, a story of sacrificial love. Yes, for all the professionals who knew me as Joel, I was always Sparkie to Connie and friends outside of work. It is no different than millions of other stories about a successful marriage. Because that’s what marriage is, making sacrifices for your spouse’s happiness, taking care of them when needed, listening to them when they are down, and yes most of all loving them despite their shortcomings because they love you even with your shortcomings. Our story begins in May of 1968 in Germany.
Unfortunately, I lost Connie in April of 2016. This blog is dedicated to her memory. If you would like to know more, you can look at the “Table Of Contents” for other pages.
Every lasting marriage has a beautiful love story behind it but ours is my favorite.!!!!
THE REASON FOR THIS BLOG!!!!
WHY AM I STILL ON THIS EARTH!! TO WATER THE FLOWERS OF OUR LOVE . TO TELL OUR STORY TO BE THE ONE WHO KEEPS YOUR MEMORY ALIVE AND MAKE SURE THAT WHILE I REMEMBER YOU, ALL WHO I MEET WILL REMEMBER YOU WITH ME. AS LONG AS I AM ALIVE PART OF YOU IS HERE. AS LONG AS YOU’RE NOT HERE PART OF ME IS NOT REALLY HERE. YET I AM THE REMEMBERER AND THAT WILL HAVE TO BE ENOUGH FOR NOW AUTHOR — UNKNOWN
This quote was taken from a Facebook page called “Grief Speaks Out”
I will continue to update this story and relevant pages as we go.
You and Connie have a beautiful story. We were lucky so many years ago to have you two as neighbors and friends. I am anxious to read more of your blog.
You and Connie have a beautiful story. We were lucky so many years ago to have you two as neighbors and friends. I am anxious to read more of your blog.
Such wonderful, heartwarming stories, Sparkie. Thank you for sharing them. I look forward to reading more.
I am trying to test the comments
Yep. It’s working, Sparkie, Much like the sharing of the Love Story of Connie and Sparkie you’ve devoted yourself to is Inspiring. Thank you. God be with You always, my Brother in Christ.❤️🙏💪💕
Yep, it’s working Sparkie much like the sharing of the Love Story of Connie and Sparkie you’ve selflessly devoted yourself to is Inspiring. Thank you. God be with you always, my Brother in Christ.
Joel, I will be spending time reading through your blog. Looking forward to lunch with the crew. I start work at 2 or 3PM for the next two weeks so feel free to schedule something and I will schedule a nurse for my mother.
It is such a beautiful testament to a Connie and your marriage that you are documenting your lives in this way. Bless you Sparkie.
This blog is getting better every week
Joel…You are a wonderful person. Connie picked very good. I know she smiles down on you always. What a wonderful story and tribute.
There has never been a better love story than yours. Truly heartwarming and touching.
I love that song Sparkie…it was a perfect choice. And the poem is so beautiful and speaks to all of us who have lost our loves. Thank you friend.
Sparkie thanks so much for inviting me to read along the journey. You have been such a support to the group and I am so excited to read more about yout beautiful Love story.
Sparkie,
What a beautiful story to share about your love for eachother. I love the song. Thank you for sharing this wonderful love story and I look forward to learning more. Thanks for being a wonderful support to our group.
Dear Sparkie,
Your love for Connie is so beautiful and inspirational. Bless you for sharing such heartwarming stories . You keep Connie’s memory alive so wonderfully. She must be smiling down.
I am enjoying the blog so much, Sparkie. You and Connie had a happy life together. Thank you so much for sharing.
The poem at the beginning of your blog – makes me sad and happy too. Connie was a special person to all who knew her!
Funny how the first years are easy to remember every detail, but as time goes by, it becomes a little more blurry and years become more like “groups of years”. Maybe divided by where you lived for that time frame. And we all get so busy with work and for us, our kids and their activities. And, as we all get older, as we know – Time Flies when you’re having fun!
I always thought Connie was so funny – we always laughed with her and with you. She always said “I’m not a cook, don’t know anything about cooking”. But every time we went to your house, if she made dinner, I do not remember going away hungry or thinking that what we ate wasn’t very good. Sometimes we went out for dinner, then to your house, and she had made a dessert – which was great. I enjoyed seeing her recipes in your blog.
take care, Love Carol