linkmac95 Offline

linkmac95: I was absolutely amazed at how Don’s song popped up on Facebook right after I chatted here with dear friends about Cheryl. I had never heard this song before but if I had, I would have played it for Cheryl and sung it along with Don as our Anniversary song. Because it so perfectly reflects what I felt about Cheryl, it went immediately to the depths of my soul and I hope it is now wafting its way up to where she is! Honey, for 54 years, you were this to me, my wife, lover, soul mate, truly my best friend, and fantastic mother for our children-I miss you so much and so do they! We will meet again on the other side “when the time is right!" (((((Cheryl)))))

Here are the full lyrics:

You placed gold on my finger
You brought love like I've never known
You gave life to our children
And to me a reason to go on
You're my bread when I'm hungry
You're my shelter from troubled winds
You're my anchor in life's ocean
But most of all you're my best friend
When I need hope and inspiration
You're always strong when I'm tired and weak
I could search this whole world over
You'd still be everything that I need.

linkmac95: I once heard in a sermon that God answers our prayers by telling us at different times - "No, slow, grow, go." These two quotations help me understand that concept.

linkmac95: While there are many versions of Jerusalema available on YouTube, this is my favorite version, one performed in Bielefeld, Germany. I love the exuberance of the multi-racial, multi-ethnic group as it bursts out onto the street and just joyfully starts dance steps now going on in all kinds of groups around the world. According to an article printed in the September 24, 2020 issue of the LA Times, "In the upbeat song in the Zulu language, the singer implores to be taken away from the troubles of the world to go to Jerusalem, effectively heaven. The song, by popular DJ Master KG with vocals by Nomcebo Zikode, was a hit in South Africa last year and became even more popular this year as people saw its message as a way to cope with the tragedies of the coronavirus pandemic." While the dance may fade away in time, like the macarena, I believe it and the accompanying dance craze brought at temporary salve to a hurting world desperately in need of it.....so here it is!

linkmac95: Here is another song from the Australian group, The Idea of North with dark-haired beauty Naomi Crellin singing alto-go Naomi!



My favorite lines from the lyrics are these:

Everything we are will never die
Loving's such a beautiful thing
When you are to me, the light above
Made for all to see our precious love

linkmac95: This version of the Billy Joel song "And So It Goes" by The King Singers and the Stay At Home Choir really resonated with me, especially the closing lines.

linkmac95: In my opinion, this stunningly beautiful lullaby by Billy Joel is one of the most beautiful lullabyes ever composed since Brahms wrote his masterpiece in 1868. While Billy wrote his lullaby for his 7-year old daughter, I hear it as a lullaby for those we love who may be away but remain in our memories and in our hearts. As the final lyrics say,

"Someday we'll all be gone, but lullabyes go on and on
They never die, that's how you and I will be."

linkmac95: I'm dedicating this version of "You've Got A Friend" to all my chat friends. Your friendship and support mean a lot to me. Sit back and enjoy this one-it really rocks!

YouTube

linkmac95: For the last decade of my 37-year teaching career, this was my classroom. I expected my students to succeed according to the guidelines I posted on the side whiteboards.

linkmac95: One Voice Children's Choir sings a lively version of "Love At Home." When love is present in the home, it helps all sorts of things just fall into place-that was my experience!

linkmac95: Beach scene from Moorea, near Tahiti, from our Club Med vacation there in 1969

linkmac95: My sister Connie and me, not sure of age, probably about 5.5 and 7.

linkmac95: On vacation in Hawaii in 1968-probably the last time I've ever been seen wearing flowers in my hair!

linkmac95: This Burt Bacharach video of his hit song "The Look of Love" may show loving looks but I'll take this one over any shown in the video!

linkmac95: Another slide treasure rediscovered after a half century-This is Cheryl at 21, 10 months after we got married. I chose well, didn't I!

linkmac95: This is me in my first classroom at the start of a 37-year career teaching high schoolers.

linkmac95: This was our second Christmas celebration-1968.

linkmac95: Cheryl and I saw the Four Freshmen perform in San Francisco while on our honeymoon in 1966. 53 years later, for our final anniversary, we saw the current group perform at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. A song we both loved at each concert was "Day By Day." After the concert, I introduced us to Bob Ferreira, the bass singer, and told him the words were just as true at each performance. Thanks, guys, for being musical bookends to our wonderful years as husband and wife.

YouTube

linkmac95: Here I am in 1973, age 32, about to take my one and only flight in a private plane. Fellow coach Chuck McFate and I are escorting Randy Lopez to the California state championship meet in Sacramento where Randy will win in one of my happiest days ever as a track coach, becoming my school's only state champion in the half-mile run! In the picture, Randy is 3rd.

linkmac95: I've finally gotten around to digitizing some old slides. Here is one of Cheryl and our adopted son, Greg, on a 1972 trip to visit relatives in Portland and a year later, they are at the Los Angeles Zoo. She was such a proud mommy!

linkmac95: Frion, a dear chat pal of mine from the AOL days, sent me this unique greeting card honoring the 1st Anniversary of the loss of a loved one, in this case, my wife Cheryl. She gave me permission to post it and if anyone reading this knows someone who can use the uplift in spirit this card can bring, feel free to repost it as needed.

linkmac95: At 12:46 Am on August 9, 2019, Cheryl, my wife of 53 years passed away after a year-long battle against liver disease. On September 6, 2019, we held a Celebration of Life Service in the Pasadena Nazarene Church where my family worshipped for ten years. Each person in attendance was given this picture card of Cheryl and viewed this 12-minute video with highlights of her life and our life together. I present them here to honor the life of a woman whose smile lit up any room she entered, something those who knew her fondly remember, someone who loved people and people loved her. Rest in Peace, my soul mate, until we meet again, "when the time is right."

linkmac95: Here we are celebrating our 40th Anniversary at home in front of a room full of family and friends.

linkmac95: Here I am at age 26 coaching high school runners-lets see, was that supposed to be 3 laps or 4? lol