Moving on from the loss of a loved one isn't easy. It can take years, and for some, like this adorable grandpa, losing his beloved wife doesn't mean he can't share a meal with her anymore.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published on July 16, 2019. It has since been updated.
When you've spent a considerable number of years with a person, you can never stop thinking about them even when they are gone. You want them there for all the special moments that take place, like your granddaughter's wedding. Even death could not do a man apart from his wife because he still holds a torch for her. Seeing such longlasting forever kind of love is inspirational for the younger generations as well.
Recently, a bride took some time out on her special day to capture her grandfather, Billy Gray, who was sitting by a memorial of his wife, Barbara, to eat, according to CNN. A chair was decorated with her photos, as well as of other departed loved ones, and a note saying, "We know you would be here today if heaven wasn’t so far away" was attached to it. The family had their favorite grandmother in their thoughts and showed it in a beautiful way. Even those who were at the wedding appreciated their gesture of love.
The bride, Sahrah Elswick, endearingly calls her grandfather "pawpaw" and grandmother "mawmaw". She shared the photo, which has since gone viral, with the caption: "Pawpaw sat and ate with mawmaw today at my wedding", according to New York Post. The photo has been shared more than 19,000 times and liked 179,000 times. She told CNN that she was seated with other guests and eating in their Alderson home when she saw this.
"I immediately burst out in tears," she said. "I was heartbroken but in such awe at how pure their love was and is."
Pawpaw sat and ate with mawmaw today at my wedding 🥺 pic.twitter.com/GEXWMCfgXB
— Sahrah Elswick (@sahrahMichelle) July 7, 2019
The grandfather sat alone with his wife's memorial while other guests sat at the table with family members at the event, and it just broke everyone's heart that he missed her so much. Even though she has been gone many years, he still misses her.
One person who attended the wedding, tweeted, "Your wedding was beautiful and this was the sweetest thing I’ve ever witnessed. I’m glad we captured this moment and I’m sorry she couldn’t physically be there with you on your big day, but she was definitely there.”
your wedding was beautiful and this was the sweetest thing i’ve ever witnessed. i’m glad we captured this moment and i’m sorry she couldn’t physically be there with you on your big day, but she was definitely there❤️i love y’all!!
— Caressa Collins (@CaressaRochelle) July 7, 2019
The post by the bride from West Virginia has garnered a lot of sweet responses, including people sharing stories about their loved ones who are no longer in this world.
One person said, "This is so touching. They must have had a deep love [for] each other. All of us would be blessed to have the same." Another user shared her own story, "This is beautiful but also I could cry. One of the main reasons I’ve been so hesitant to actually go through a wedding is because my dad won’t be there to walk me down the aisle or give me away or do a father-daughter dance. It makes me so sad. Glad you could have her there somehow.”
Our loved ones stay alive in your hearts and minds even if they are gone. We remember them and carry them within us so that they live as long as we do. Honoring them in these special ways is also a way to get past the grief of losing them and making sure that they are present in our special moments.
References:
https://edition.cnn.com/2019/07/09/us/grandfather-sits-alone-memorial-chair-wedding-trnd/index.html
