A Love Story: Stan and Barbara Wilson

Yesterday I re-posted a picture of my father just weeks before he passed away. It upset my mother and caused her to cry. That broke my heart. I cannot imagine loving someone so much that going on with life is a daily battle. I loved, and still love, my father so incredibly much but no matter how much I love him it will never be at the level of my mother's love for him. So let me tell you about a love story that will never end. (Please bear in mind that my memory is crappy at best and that I'm remembering this as second hand knowledge. I'm sure errors will be made but you'll get the gist of it.)

Once upon a time there was a young girl and a young man. The young girl knew the young man through family and friends. For a long time the young girl and young man were just friends and eventually became best friends. Thus began a love story that would span decades together and a love that will never end.

The young girl and young man had a child. Though times were turbulent between them, they reunited and married. The child got to be at her parent's wedding and she was so cute. They were young and faced an uphill battle. It was a small town and the couple struggled to make ends meet. But love led to the birth of another beautiful child. Though the baby was blonde, they loved her just as much.

In order to save money, the new family moved into the tiniest home imaginable. So tiny that it didn't have a bathroom and everyone had to go to the outhouse in the back. But the pictures showed a happy family.

Eventually the couple bought a little trailer and before long another child was born. Though the two oldest siblings were told that their mom and dad would be bringing home a monkey...they still loved the beautiful addition. Even though she was clearly not a monkey and there were some hurt feelings over this, they had a new baby sister and the happy family was complete.

Times were still hard but the couple worked together. Thru good times and bad the couple were always there for each other. Decades passed and nothing separated the two. Life tested them and still they rose to meet those challenges. Their vow "through sickness and health" was tested and still their love never diminished.

Fast forward decades and they were no longer young but still in love. That young man and young woman aged and were given grandchildren. Those grandchildren were deeply loved and appreciated. The love they felt for each other, and their children and grandchildren, never diminished. Though other beloved family members passed on, they were there for each other.

As time passed the man grew sick but still their love held them together. The woman never faltered in protecting him and encouraging him to keep going on and to reach for health. But as life sometimes does, it didn't listen to their love and the man grew sicker and sicker. Nothing could be done and one morning the man did not awaken. He had passed on from this life. The woman was devastated. Her one true love had gone onto the next adventure without her and she didn't know if she had the strength to go on.

Years began to pass and still the grief was just as raw. The children often found themselves crying over saved voicemail messages, Facebook posts and picture but no matter how much they loved and desperately missed the man...it did not compare to the grief and the broken heart of the woman.

Time has no meaning when there is a love that never dies. The woman knew that one day she would be reunited with the man whom she had loved. She cries at night for her loss and there are no words or condolences that take that pain away. But one day they will be reunited.


My dad was an incredible person. He loved us greatly. Growing up we knew that he was a fierce protector of his family. If someone offended or hurt mom...God help that person and that included us. We were never allowed to disrespect her or treat her badly. He had the hard job, though, as the disciplinarian. There were a lot of times when we would here, "Wait 'till we get home and your father hears about this." Those words would send terror shooting through us.We may have tested his patience but he remained the rock and the protector.

In fourth grade a teacher humiliated and hurt me in front of the whole class. I came home crying and my dad went back to the school to do some damage. I got a half-assed apology the next day. My dad gave me my first memorable birthday present (it was from both of them). It was a tote, a small radio and a book about Abraham Lincoln.

Dad never refused us anything if he was able to do it. The one exception was that he wasn't going to help us move again. I can now see that and don't blame him. We might have been gypsies. Okay so maybe it was more me being a gypsy.

On November 8th, we will have been separated from our father, and mom's love, for 5 years. I'll be honest...I hate this time of year. There are too many losses that have occurred. And even though it has been 5 years, I sit here crying as I write this. My sisters and my mom would probably give anything to just sit with him again. I'd take even 5 minutes.

My dad loved us kids equally with no one of us being loved more. We all tried his patience at times but he never stopped loving us and showing us that love. We each had an incredible, but sometimes different, connection with him. But no one loved him more than my mom. I saw pain when my Papa died and my Granny was left without him. She crumbled and I decided, then and there, that I would never let someone into my heart in that way. I never wanted to love someone so much that their death would make me falter.

I don't know how my mom does it and there is not one of us that can understand her pain because that pain is unique to each person. As much as I grieve I know that my mom grieves far more and far deeper. When I find myself irritated at my mom, I know that my dad would be disappointed, and pissed, if I hurt her. I remember that they loved each other with the power of a thousand suns.

One day they will be reunited. A love story like theirs doesn't fade and nothing can stop it. My sisters' and my love for my dad will never fade as well. And even though there were hard times in the past, hurt feelings or struggles...we should concentrate on the good. The joy that one man brought to so many people.

The only way I can end this story is with this...I love you dad and I love you mom. That will never change.