Valentine s memories

Ninety-eight years old and dying, the second ending to a great love story. The real love story the first ending happened 23 years ago when Matt died. Abby was sitting in bed looking at their photo albums and remembering the past was how she wanted to go. Of course her 5 kids, 20 grandkids, 52 great grandkids and 5 great great grandkids so far were in and out checking on her and spending time with her but in the last few moments of her life she wanted to be with Matt even if it was just the memories of their life. She prefered to start at the end and work her way back, the last picture ever taken of Matt. The picture was of Matt holding one of their granddaughters Calisto while Abbadon their only daughter slept next to him having fell asleep during the visit. Of course Matt had been very sick it was just days before he died and Abby had told Abbadon not to bring the baby, she was certain Matt couldnt handle it. Abbadon of course didnt listen to her mother and had been right Matt was happy to have his granddaughter there, when Abby came in the sight was too precious. She had to take a picture and was happy she did it was a memory she and their daughter, and granddaughter would always remember. The next was at their 45th wedding anniversary, then 40th, several grandkids pictures. No matter how many grandkids/great grandkids they had they always went to the hospital to see them after they were first born, they even made it to the hospital for all five of their great grandkids births. Then of course their own kids various weddings, birthday, evens graduations and several other events ending the series with each one of their childrens birth pictures. Their short small wedding photos were next, it was just four people and of course the judge. Next was various photos of them together from 15 (Abby) and 16 (Matt) tlil their wedding at 18 (Abby) and 19 (Matt) which were always Abbys favirote. Not because they reminded her of a more happy care free life but because they reminded her of how much they been threw and how much they loved each other. 

Most people talk about their one true love as a whirlwind of love and adventure but that wasnt their story. They came together because of their troubled lifes, Matt had been abandon by his mother at 3. He had been raised by his grandma from 3-13, then he was forced to move in with his abusive dad when she died, that meant besides having to protect himself he also had to take care of himself. Abby on the other hand had a good young childhood her dad Colonel Michael Harvey was her best friend till he died in Iraq when she was just 12. She still had her mom in the mostly physically with the loss of her husband, her mother turned to drugs and random relationshipos. That left Abby to take care of herself and her little sister Sammantha. Matt and Abby were adults by all definitions but actual age when they met. They had been a source of comfort and strength for each other from the time they met til lhis death. 

Thinking about the strength Matt gave her when he was alive made her realize she still had that strength because she still had him in her heart. Living 23 more years without him was the hardest thing she ever had to do and if it hadnt been Matts wish that she went on with her life she likely wouldnt have. It wouldve been so much easier to just cry till she died but instead she focused on her kids, grandkids and great grandkids, because thats what Matt wanted. While it was hard she did have some good times and considered herself blessed. 

Since his passing Abby got to see 3 more grandkids born (for a total of 20), 52 great grandkids, and 5 great great grandkids so far. Heck she even got to see one of her great great grandkids named after her. More weddings then she could count and even some tradgedies but alot of good memories and pictures. Of course they werent as good as the couldve been without Matt there but still she considered herself blessed to have been apart of them. She flipped threw the photos stopping at Mikaels graduation from law school, Harveys gradutation from Medical school, Abbadons graduation from vet school. She was very proud of those three kids, though she was equally proud of her other two Gregory and Matthew. The two had taken over the family business a garage and towing service that she and Matt had bought when they were just 22 and 23. 

The family garage was one of the many things they accomplished together, along with raising 5 good kids, and help raising some of their grandkids. The fact that they were together for 50 years and married for 47 was their greatest accomplishment together in her opinion. Looking back on those hundreds of photos didnt even begin to cover the memories of the 50 years they spent together. She sat the book aside as her only daughter Abbadon poked her head in the room, Abby nodded. Without being asked Abbadon motioned for her four brothers to come in the room. Abbadon immediately laid on the bed to Abbys right while Gregory the youngest took the other side. Matthew sat on the edge of the bed by Abbadon facing his mother and siblings. Mikael the oldest of her kids pulled a chair closer to the bed and sat, while Harvey the normally least affectionate of her kids paced. Harvey started to tear up so Abby held out her arms for him, as if he was 5 he crawled between Abbadon and Abby so he could be closer to his mom. 

Abbadon didnt mind she rubbed her little brothers arm in an attempt to comfort him, they were all silent. They continued to be silent as the grandkids and eventually the great grandkids filed in the room to sit on the floor or really any surface they could. What was special for her was seeing her granddaughter Neveah holding one of her twins, Abbys namesake. Of course Neveahs husband was behind her with the other twin. Abby scanned the room as she started to get sleepy. She took in the sight of all her kids, grandkids, great grandkids and great great grandkids. It was a joyus sight she couldnt wait to see the next one, she fully believed it would be her husbands face. It would be their first valentines day in 23 years.