December 22, 2006

Hope

Last year I wrote a post about how difficult the holiday season can be for people who have experienced a loss over the year. I wrote about the man in the red sweater who had just been widowed for the second time. His wife had just died suddenly of a massive heart attack. He is in his early eighties.

Tonight, we are going to that same party, at the same house with people eating the same foods and wearing their same holiday clothes. When my husband called his friend, Auto Shop Owner, to let him know we would be at the party, they began talking about all the people who would be coming to the party. My husband asked about Red Sweater. It's been over a year now since Red Sweater's wife died.

It turns out that Red Sweater is bringing a date to the party. He's been seeing a woman he's been friends with for years. He'll be smiling again this year, telling stories again, and eating some of those holiday cookies.

14 comments:

ccw said...

I remember this post from last year. I'm so glad he'll be smiling again.

I hope you and your family have a wonderful time at the party.

Anonymous said...

Well, Amen to that.

Anonymous said...

I am happy for him! Shows there is hope in the world. I hope I'll be hopeful this new year (It's been hard- no work, alone).

Anonymous said...

What a lovely story to hear as we move towards Christmas. More lovely, perhaps, because it's true. Happy Holidays, Joe.

Anonymous said...

Hooray for Red Sweater. A resilient old dude.

Marie said...

There's some Advent light. Hurrah!

listie said...

How wonderful for Red Sweater.

Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Anonymous said...

What a difference a year and a litte hope makes, huh?

Yankee, Transferred said...

excellent red sweater news.

junebee said...

Reminds me of some friends of my father and stepmother. They are a couple of years older than my parents. The woman's husband died in the summer and in my Christmas card to her that year, I tried to offer some consoling words. After I sent the card out, my father told me that the woman already had a new boyfriend! They were married in short order!

purple_kangaroo said...

That's great.

Anonymous said...

Good for him!

Unknown said...

Simple, beautiful post. Stories like this (acceptance, moving on, loving again) make me happier in moments when I need to. Thank you.

By the way, you don't know me. I just dropped by because I noticed my favorite blogs' blogrolls all seemed to include you. And understably so.

Cheers and happy holidays! =)

Anonymous said...

As someone who (FINALLY) found love with her best friend, I am a great believer in the idea that hope and happiness may be closer than you think. Many blessings to Red Sweater and to all of you!