March 30th, 2020
Mississauga
My beloved Larry,
Our parting is excruciatingly painful for me. You are the Sun ray that God sent into my life when everything seemed to be so gloomy. With your joyous and energetic nature, with your good heart, and incessant support you offered to me, you gained my endless love step by step. You brought happiness in my life in a way I had never experienced before.
We met in the virtual world, both of us looking for equipment to make our life in wheelchairs easier. You also confessed to me that “you were actually looking for your sugar and spice and everything nice girl”, but I told you that I was not interested in marriage. You knew a lot about accessible aids and were willing to share that with me. Then, our common interest in history brought us together in long and interesting online discussions. You had got the passion for history from your parents who had often taken you to historical places during your childhood. Again, you had more knowledge than me in history and I learnt a lot from you.
At that time my English was very poor, but you were very patient, encouraging me to speak/write and never correcting me as you loved my accent and my way of formulating sentences. We discovered that we had common ideas and principles. We often started talking about the same topic at once, as if our minds had invisible connections. Soon our virtual meetings became the highlights of our days. You knew when I finished my job and you were online, ready talk to me.
You also told me that, after we met, you called your brother Anthony and your niece Toni to tell them how happy you were that you met the girl you had always been looking for. You kept calling them full of excitement to let them know about us.
For years you sent me letters every single day. Sometimes my inbox was too small when more letters arrived at once. The postman rang the doorbell to hand them out to me. You learnt about my family, relatives and friends and never missed to send gifts to us for all important events (birthdays, Christmas, Easter), but not only. You had got a habit to buy everything you thought that might be useful for me, Elena and family members.
When a proposal Claddagh ring arrived to me via mail, together with a letter to my parents to ask for their permission to marry me, my parents were happy to welcome you in our family. We had already become one, feeling each other and supporting each other through our hard times.
I learnt from you to cast away the worries, as you used to do, by singing: ”The sun will come out/Tomorrow/Bet your bottom dollar/ That tomorrow/There'll be sun!” When my father passed away you strived to come to Romania to support me. The time was too short time to put everything in place. You drove coast to coast, over 4000km, alone to meet me when I first visited USA. This time you were successful. I felt immediately that you were a very gentle and good person, more than I had imagined. I called my sister and mum to tell them that I want to accept your proposal.
Later, when we got married, our angel Elena (as you used to call her) was our witness. We both knew how lucky we were to have met each other.
Larry, I would like to thank you for everything you offered and taught me. You didn’t miss an opportunity to make me a nice compliment: “Your hair is so nice today, my Maria” or “I love your nails, my Miha”. You often enjoyed me and Elena with your tutorials about numismatics and art. We are missing your lessons a lot!
Five years ago you became ill. The entire Earth collapsed for me. With God’s grace I put all my efforts to help you recover. Elena was every moment next to us. Together with you, Larry, we won many battles. Then, we all celebrated every single small step toward your recovery. We were so proud of all the efforts you did to recover! You are our hero!
God wanted you next to Him. You are now with your dear parents, Helmer Mauritz and Jean Marie, your sister Laurie, your brother Anthony, your sister in law Theresa and my father Gheorghe. I am sure you got a big hug from my father when you met each other. From now on, I know you will watch over me and your dears who are here on the Earth.
I feel so destroyed now, but I promised you that I will never let myself fall in despair as I know you did not like to see me sad and crying. I will always keep vivid my memories about you and our love story. When I will close my eyes and hear your words: “Are you ok, my Maria?”, I would like to be able to say: “I make the best of my life, as you wish me to do”.
Finally, Larry, you have to know that I would not be the person I am today if you didn't come into my life.
May God rest your soul in His Kingdom, Larry!
Thank you for everything.
With deepest love,
“Your” Maria
