Valentine’s Day 2025

Glenn Warner texted me a couple of weeks ago and suggested another breakfast so we did on Monday.  I pick him up at his ‘senior living place’—very nice here in Franklin.  Others might look at Glenn and I as the odd couple—an odd mix.  Glenn, who operated a medical lab and is a Biblical ‘Thomas’ if there ever was one, with the motto ‘show me the proof'.  He lives and breathes scientifically. I on the other hand am a no holds barred mystic.  We’d been in a book study for a while when as we were leaving one day Glenn said he’d never been in a Tesla.  I suggested we solve that by going to breakfast for the first of now several times.  

I think—wonder if, the draw to each other is we are fascinated with someone who sees stuff so differently.  We experience life from contrasting angles and it interests the other.  Glenn is near ninety and lost his wife a number of years ago.  As we sat down he said he’d like to talk about death, that few ever wanted or allowed him to, so we did.  It has been an enjoyable relatively new friendship. He’d said a few weeks after the election that we likely voted for opposite candidates—I just said I figured that might be the case.  In spending time with him, Glenn is not bright red, just as I am not deep blue.  Breakfast with Glenn was a sweet way to begin my week.  

Also this week, I’m in the habit of sending things I find encouraging personally to others via social media or directly.  I’d sent something to a dear couple from our previous church.  The Lee and Carol Anglin and I were elders of the church.  Lee is ninety and Carol a bit younger.  We had gravitated to one another early on.  There is a draw, almost freakish, between those with INFJ personalities or mystics.  It is like you’ve known each other on some other planet—we are just not green. (Maybe if we were the rest of you could spot us better.)  Over the years Lee and Carol have heard my whole story, or history.  I’ve heard much of their story too. 

Lee & Carol Anglin

Carol sent a response to what I’d sent her. In the texting I’d said it had been too long since we been eye ball to eye ball.  She then told me Lee was not doing well.  They’d gotten a hospital bed last week that he was now confined to.  We set up lunch yesterday.  With Valentine’s Day today and with Carol’s birthday on Monday, I went to COSTCO to pick up some flowers.  COSTCO had ‘fields’ of flowers!  My love for them both and her birthday were great reasons to show up with the bouquet.  

 Mary, another of her friends, joined Carol and I for lunch there at Abe’s Place.  It was older ladies at all the other tables who as we entered looked up at us with longing eyes for visitors of their own.  Such places can be very lonely. 

Years ago Lee and Carol heard that my dad and I had always been ships passing in the night. They commented that dad had missed out on really knowing a decent guy. Lee said then he’d be pleased to have me as a son (thankfully Carol agreed).  One beautiful aspect of the friendship between we three—we’ve been deep divers never just paddling around on the surface.  Our times together were those where we lost track of time when three hours had passed without ever noticing.  That is how deep friendship—deep love is.  It transcends all time.  

a photo shoot the Anglins did years back

The waitress yesterday insisted I try the apple pie so I took one to go (it really was an apple tart—delicious).  She’d asked if I was Carol’s son—I thought of Lee’s comment years ago but said no, just a good friend.  

We went upstairs to see Lee.  Their daughters were there as well as a nurse.  I fear Lee is not long for this world.  

This season of life is so bittersweet.  He and Carol had good conversations about death before he’d begun slipping away.  I thought of my breakfast Monday with Glenn.  

When it boils down to it, the only real thing we have to offer others in life is our ear, our presence.  Not answers, for there are few. Just to be there—such a privilege for us—for me.  

So I’m in anticipatory grief on this Valentine’s Day, but it is sweet too.  Relationships are the essence of life.  As a result, I’ve been a wealthy man over the decades.  

As I left telling Lee I loved him, I asked that he keep the light on up there, all of us are headed that way—some sooner than others.

So Lee, we’ll be looking for the light—make it bright. Knowing Lee, he will. 

(Lee passed just after midnight 2/15/25)

For those who know Lee & Carol there will be a Celebration / Memorial time on Sunday, March 9 after the service at Gracepointe Church in Nashville. (That is the day daylight savings time begins—what did I tell you about Lee and LIGHT)