“Every choice begins with an intention, your intentions guide your thoughts. Your thoughts guide your choices, and your choices influence your life.” ~ David Bennett
long road goodbye
If there was anything missing in yesterday’s dedication ceremony it was an acknowledgement of Nila, Ralph Paul’s bride, during the ceremony (she was represented in the commemorative program). I can’t imagine how horrible it is to be a young war widow. Nila’s a strong woman though. She gathered herself and made a new life in Mt. Sterling with John Crouch with whom she had two children. How hard that journey must have been for her, and how special John must be to have caught her eye. I’ve thought about his struggle in all this; 46 years of reminders creeping in every now and then. To share a life with a man he never met. Yet, he is as sweet and warm and kind as Ralph Paul was. It says a lot about Nila to have found two people of such outstanding character. John is inspiring to me, they both are; for the spirit to move on, and be happy. Dwelling on the past just leaves us in the past to stew on things we can’t change. Things work out the way they need to. We were all fortunate to know Ralph Paul. We’re equally fortunate to know Nila and John. The family is big enough for us all.
No responses yet