Personal Stories
Louis's Story
"I believe that when one partner in a marriage dies leaving the other behind, there are spheres of love and thought which keep their two lives bound together."
In a matter of days it will be one year since my wife Freya slipped out of my arms. Four days earlier we rode our bikes 12 miles on a California mountain trail, drank a strong Manhattan, made tender love and spent almost till dawn sharing with each other our gratitude to the Lord for 60 years of marriage. So often in the preceding months she would say, "I love you, Frat. Aren't we lucky to be together still after all these years?" Half a week later, back home in Pennsylvania, I held those same hands. Her eyes were closed, her lips silent as the warmth of her body lessened to cold. So He giveth His beloved sleep. "I love you, Freya," I cried. "How can I live without you after all these years together?"
Do we speak the truth when we say that death parts us? In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Gen.1). When one partner in a marriage passes into the Spiritual World leaving the other on earth, there are almost tangible spheres of love and thought which keep their two lives bound together. Feeling this bond creates a convincing sense of the reality of life after death. I now feel this interdependence and loving support from the spiritual world more than I ever believed possible, even when, as a minister, I taught about it for 67 years. Yes, there are times of doubt, even the despair of disbelief. Such temptations are permitted by the Lord so that ultimately we can be strengthened in our trust in the Divine purpose of life.
One of the times when my wife draws close to me is when I make an effort to rise above my ego. When she was physically present we worked and talked together about how to help each other overcome self-centeredness. For example, we worked on my explosive temper fits over small issues. When I did poorly she'd squeeze my hand and try to hide her silent distress. When I improved she'd squeeze my hand and smile ever so lovingly. Believe it or not, she helps me fight my bad habits even more today than when she was on earth. When I am tempted to be impatient with myself or others, I feel my wife's presence and make a stronger effort to shun the deeper emotion and not just the outer behavior, because I know that otherwise she will withdraw from me. Working with her in this way brings her very close indeed.
For as many years as I can remember, Freya read the Word to me first thing in bed each morning. Even though she's no longer lying next to me, I keep up our tradition. There is no doubt in my mind and heart that we are still reading the Word together. Now I end each day saying with heartfelt conviction, "I love you, Freya. Aren't we lucky to be together still after all these years?"