TALE OF LOVE ON VALENTINE'S DAY
(A true story)
By Irene K. Petredis

To my amazement and disappointment I awoke early on Valentine's Day to discover that the winter wonderland outdoors presented very treacherous conditions. Underneath the six-to-eight inches of snow was a blanket of ice that covered everything-cars, roads, walkways, buildings and all of Mother Nature's trees, grass and bushes.

My beloved husband of almost 54 years had been at UPMC Saint Margaret Hospital since January 15 (30 days) and not doing well even though numerous specialists and staff within the hospital worked feverishly to improve his condition. He was coherent; but due to physical weakness, he did not converse much with us.

In my heart I knew that this would be the last Valentine's Day we would be spending together. The heartfelt and imperative need to be by his side to comfort, love and support him grew stronger with each passing minute.

The receptionist for our retirement community, Longwood at Oakmont, gave me the names and phone numbers of six drivers that offered their services to residents; however, no one would venture out under such inclement weather conditions.

The taxi service would give me no guarantee that they would drive me to the hospital. The hospital receptionist had no transportation suggestions. She informed me that hospital visitors had summoned taxis, and they were not responding to the requests.

At this point I was totally disheartened, for it was Valentine's Day; I couldn't speak to my husband nor had I given him a Valentine's card. When I mentioned this to the hospital receptionist, she said, "I can get a card to him. How would you like it to read?" My response was: "I love you with all my heart--All my love". I was so elated with her kindness that I thanked her many times and asked if I could mail her the costs for her services, but she refused repeatedly; she was an angel from heaven!

I wandered aimlessly through the hall of my apartment building and met a Longwood staff member and my neighbor. They could tell I was troubled and asked if they could help. When I told them of the dilemma, my kind neighbor volunteered to use his deicer to deice his car. He said that if he could get it deiced by four o'clock he would drive me to the hospital, but he had to return by five o'clock to accompany his wife to Longwood's Valentine's Day Dinner. Finally, success-another angel from heaven!

As we drove to the hospital, my neighbor asked how I was going to get home. My main concern, however, was to get to my husband and stay overnight should conditions be such that I could not return.

Upon entering the hospital lobby, I was anxious to meet and personally express my thanks to the receptionist for her kindness, but she was not at the reception desk.

My heart filled up as I entered my loved one's room. He was asleep, and on his dinner stand was a bud vase with carnations and a card that read: "I love you with all my heart--All my love". I couldn't believe it; these beautiful flowers were there for my Valentine because of the kind gesture and efforts of the hospital receptionist. Tears filled my eyes.

As I turned, a volunteer wearing a red jacket appeared at the door. It was the receptionist. We knew at a glance that no introduction to one another was necessary. She had come to see if the flowers were delivered. After a pleasant conversation in which my gratitude and appreciation was expressed for her extraordinary assistance, she informed me of a possible ride home by another volunteer that lived at the condominiums near Longwood. I thanked her and told her I would most likely be staying overnight.

My Valentine awoke to don a smile on his face and twinkle in his eyes when he saw me by his side and the beautiful flowers. Throughout the late afternoon and evening when he was not sleeping, I held his hand, read the note on the card to him and periodically whispered its message in his ear, kissed him, prayed with him, answered his needs, and sensed a feeling of comfort, love and peace had overcome him.

Our last Valentine's Day together here on earth was very special to us, and I thank everyone who helped make it possible. Sixteen days later my beloved joined our Lord. Our souls will meet again in the heavenly kingdom of eternity. Until then my dearest one will dwell in my heart forever on Valentine's Day and every day!

A loving, devoted wife

1/6/08