For me, Valentine’s Day has a very special meaning. You see, twenty years ago today, God spared my dad’s life.  From what Mama later told me, Daddy had the stroke as they were waking up that morning, and he fell off the bed. She thought he was reaching to get her Valentine’s card from the bedside table and slipped. Only after she got up and came around to see about him, did she realize that something was very wrong.

They lived in the small town where I grew up; when she called the ambulance, it only took them a few minutes to get there, but I’m sure it must have seemed like an eternity to her.  Since I had moved to another town with my three children after a divorce, she couldn’t immediately get in touch with me- I was getting the kids to school while all this was happening. When I finally got to work, my sweet sister-in-law Myrtie called to make sure I was okay, and to tell me that she’d get the kids after school, so I could leave and come home to be with them at the hospital.

Most of the rest of that day is a blur; I know I rode with them in the ambulance to Montgomery, and I remember the doctor talking to all of us in the hall, but not much about what he said.

I do know that the doctors first told Mama that he wouldn’t make it through the night. Nevertheless, the next morning, he was still with us; again, the doctors, trying to be kind and not build up false hopes, told us that even if he lived, he’d be a vegetable. I think that’s the day that he told Mama if she would just put his feet on the floor, he thought he could get up and walk… Then the doctors said, well even if he’s aware of what’s going on around him, he’ll certainly never walk on his own.

They had many visitors over the next days, while they waited to see what steps to take next.  One visit that I will never forget (Mama told me about it later) was from their friend Bob.  Bob and his family attended First Baptist Church with my folks, and they had served on committees together, and were deacons in the church – Bob also owned the local funeral home in town.   Since Daddy seemed to be asleep when Bob got there, and he and Mama were talking quietly; I’m sure he was asking if there was anything Mama and Daddy needed, and making sure that they knew everyone was praying for them. After a few minutes, Daddy opened his eyes and saw Bob standing there, and said, “You can go home, Bob. We don’t need you yet.”

During the time that Daddy stayed at the rehab place (about 6 weeks), Mama was there every day, cheering him on.  He worked as hard as he could on every task they gave him, and didn’t give up. And Mama didn’t either- she cooked his favorite things and took them to him, to ‘supplement’ the meals he got at rehab.  It was tough on her, but she kept doing what needed to be done.

They never gave up, and they still haven’t given up.  Daddy still works on his computer every day (he has a spreadsheet that can tell you how much he’s paid for gas, how many miles per gallon they get for each tank, and how much each miles costs!)and loves Auburn football; he also enjoys playing games on the computer, and sending emails. (When he hears that someone has had a stroke, he always sends encouragement to them, telling them to work as hard as they can at their rehabilitation so they can get better. ) Mama takes care of him every day, cooking for him, making sure he has what he needs and just being a good wife- and you know, that’s what Valentine’s is all about, don’t you think?

Oh yeah, one other thing… you know, the doctor told him he’d never walk again – well, here’s the rest of the story. Daddy got out of the rehab center right before Easter, and went back for a followup visit to the same doctor. When he came into their checkup room, Daddy looked at him and said, “You said I’d never be able to walk again; but I want you to know that I walked into this office on my own!” The doctor told him he’d never been so glad to be wrong in his life.

My friends Marie and Spud have a beautiful yard. They’ve got a nice big pond with a wooden bridge that goes across to a little island Spud made; they have some beautiful trees that give wonderful shade when we sit and visit; and they have some of the most beautiful flowers.

Now neither Marie or Spud would consider themselves ‘gardeners’, I’m sure.  Marie just loves flowers, like her Mama does; and she loves to plant things.  So every time I go to their house, I get to see all these beautiful flowers. And Spud likes to put his own touch on things- he loves to build stuff, including an awesome treehouse that any kid would love. In fact, I would imagine lots of adults would enjoy this treehouse (including me)!

I love to go visit Marie and Spud- they always make visitors feel welcome. Of course, I don’t ever feel like a visitor, I feel like family.

And that’s one reason I like this rose so much- it reminds me of Marie herself.  She’s a beautiful person, especially on the inside, where most folks can’t see.  She’s a sweet loving person who would do anything for you.  She will pray for you and with you when you need it (and even when you don’t think you need it); she’s one of the kindest people I know; she’s compassionate;  and she’s got the most loving heart of anyone I’ve ever seen. I’m so proud to call her my friend.

Our second annual Rutledge Homecoming weekend is coming up in a few weeks; this year we will unveil a historical marker at the Primitive Baptist Church. The marker was donated by the Alabama Department of Tourism as part of the Year of Small Towns and Downtowns.

We’ve got an arts and crafts show planned for Saturday morning; a bike and car show on Saturday afternoon, and local performers during the day; we’re also having a cowgirl beauty pageant, a welcome home tea and a Sacred Harp singing lesson.

I hope all our friends and family members plan to come be a part of the weekend- mark your calendars. It’s April 24 and 25!

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