My husband gave me the gift of love & most of all the ability to laugh. He found humor in most everything...boy do I miss his laugh!

Love and encouragement plus many more.

He gave me the gift of living in the present and the ability to not worry about anything out of my control- he was my rock...

Inquisitiveness. My husband loved trying new things and we did so many of them together. I found myself looking for new things for us to try and asking questions about everything. I wanted to learn more so we had more to share. Sure miss doing all those things with him...

I was the child of a mean alcoholic. Sherm taught me that not all men are like my dad was; Sherm was a caring nurturing man. I feel blessed to have been so loved.

Hi Truhal,
I think I would be have determination if he were still here with me, but I do feel glad that you have that spark that keeps you going. I feel I slipped into a lower depression, so I don't have the ability to embrace all what he gave me, because it hurts so much to remember. I've always said I don't want him to be a memory, and now that he is, I'm more depressed than ever. Sorry to be debbie downer. I just still feel horrible, as I still feel when Danny passed away my spirit died with him. However, it does feel good to have understanding friends at DS. Thank you for that, anyway. Take care.
God bless,
ReneeArose

Love and respect for myself - my husband has more love for his family - his siblings and their families. The kids and I would always come second. I am sure my husband - may he rest in peace, would disagree. It was always like having to compete for his affection against his family. I'd like to believe my love and attention is enough for my kids and my husband; that it was enough to sustain a family. Deep inside I am lost, felt unloved and used, up until the day he died. I would open up and tell him my sentiments when given the chance but of course he would deny it. Till now, I am finding a way to forgive him and at the same time forgive myself. How did I let myself carry the grudge and resentment all this time. Since he died, I kept my distance from his family. It's like being freed from something somehow. During his last days, family counseling came up and we almost sought one. Never happened because my husband passed away.

Kenny gave me a deep love for the outdoors - the mystery of the mountains, the beauty of a deer, the peace of a warm summer night.

He also sent me a Christmas card this year. Two days ago I was going through a bag of fabric, sorting , discarding....and in the bottom of the bag was a beautiful card that he gave me years ago.( not sure how or why it was there) He had written in it,

"Although I may get grumpy at times, you have made me very happy and there is no one that loves you more than I do, and always will. I think of you in whatever I do. You are very special to me"

Well.... I finally cried.
Christie

Richard definitely gave me unconditional love. But he also gave me the spirit to be a fighter. When he was in the hospital, I had to fight for him. I had to fight with his family and tell them "NO" this is the way that it's going to be. He was sedated and on a ventilator so he could not speak for himself. I was the one who had to fight. I was the one who ultimately made the decision to have treatment withdrawn and trust me that was no easy decision. It came after many hours of praying. Richard was the one who, when I would look into his face, gave me the courage to be that fighter for him. I'm not normally that way but guess what? Now I totally am.

Carla

bigbear gave me total, complete, unconditional love. He loved me so totally, completely and unconditionally that he told me "I could do anything I wanted, with anyone I wanted, whenever I wanted and he'd understand completely".....I remember when he told me this, I wondered what kind of a man would tell someone this, what was he trying to pull, was he totally nuts, crazy or what? But that's how much he loved me, he would have walked into the jaws of hell and fought the devil and died for me....I haven't met many men that would have done that for me....but then, I would have done the same for him....love, total, completely, unconditional...
love ya bigbear, now, always, forever and a day....

Lots of love and total respect. He taught our children how to love and respect others, and he loved us all. Since Al's been gone, I am sad all of the time, and I hate feeling this way, but I cannot change it. I bless the time we had together, even though it was not long enough, He was the most patient and kind man I've ever met, and I loved that about him. I tried to follow his example, but I never attained his patience. He was truly a gift to me.

Love, unconditional love, self-respect, strength and confidence, the freedom to be me. I could go on and on. The gifts never end and that in itself is a gift!
Great post.

I received so many gifts from Dennis. He left his family and friends in America to come and live in Australia for me.He loved me and my girls unconditionally. He was very proud that he worked hard to support us and take care of us in every way. He made us laugh and made our home such a wonderful place to come home to. The biggest thing he gave me was my other half. He made me whole. After he passed we planted a Rose in his memory. On my birthday its first flower opened, a few days later the other 4 buds opened, one for each of my girls and their partners. I look at his rose bush every day think of the love we all share.

Unconditional love and self esteem was what my Joe gave me as his gift. He always had my back, he was always there, he was totally filled with integrity, humor, and sensitivity. I never felt loved until I met Joe, and he was the light of my life. I want to be strong for him because he would beg me to be good to myself if he were able to talk to me now. A truly gentle man. Everyone loved him because of his goodness and kindness, especially to anyone who was hurting. He was an angel on earth.

My husband gave me so much. He gave me love, forgiveness, our children, a love of music, healthy eating, fitness, compassion. I think of him everyday, and what I miss about him,or what he would be telling me in different situations. He was always so level headed. He would sit and talk to the kids and grandkids on their level. I miss so much of him.
Paula