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A Valentine Memory

Bill and Ann Coogler

Bill and Ann Coogler

My life with Bill Coogler has been a patchwork of treasured memories. It was an easy time, not without problems, but a time to reflect on our lives and enjoy each other. Bill had luck with cards, raffles, and drawings, but he had blessings with family, friends, and his faith in God.

Bill was tender, he gave me ‘month- a- versary’ flowers on the 26th of every month to celebrate
the date of our anniversary, July 26, 1997.  He was  driven to perfection, becoming the youngest Eagle Scout in the history of Chester County, SC.  His drive to excel was again evident when he graduated first in his Chemical Engineering Major in 1953 at Clemson University.  Do you ever use black plastic garbage bags?  Bill’s project team at Union Carbide invented that item!

Bill loved his family and delighted in our accomplishments. He was ‘over the moon’ about his grandchildren which include his son Rick’s three children and my daughter Stephanie’s three.

Our “Sandcastle Camelot” was Edisto Island, South Carolina. We honeymooned there and ran away from home in every season of the year to this island paradise.  Bill and I started the tradition of an annual family summer trip to Edisto. We watched our grandchildren play together in the sand and surf.

We strolled along a shore we had seen many times, but we found something new with each step. The newness was not only fossils found along the shore, but new words of love for each other. One night with my head upon his chest we listened to the wind and the waves. He asked me as he had so many times,  “do you feel it?” Yes, I felt the strong pull of our shared love. As I stood outside the door of his room in ICU that January night, he called out to me, he said he felt me outside the door. The strong pull of that love exists even today.  You’re all I need my love, my valentine.

“If there were no words, no way to speak, I would still hear you. If there were no tears, no way to feel inside, I’d still feel for you.  I will give you my heart until the end of time. You’re all I need my love, my valentine. ”

Used by permission: Valentine -Jim Brickman with Martina McBride

Our song: July, 26, 1997 – February 4, 2011 and always…

In loving memory of Bill Coogler – July 11, 1931-February 4, 2011

Comments

  1. Claire says:

    This was very touching Ann – well said.

  2. Ann says:

    Thanks, it was difficult to write but I feel better now.

  3. Ann, what a beautiful tribute to your Bill. Thanks for giving us a glimpse of the good man he was. I miss seeing you!

  4. Thank you Ann,this is great.

  5. This is very good .Thanks Ann.

  6. Susan Pickett says:

    You’re a lucky woman, Miss Ann.

  7. Ann says:

    I’m so glad you enjoyed it. The writing is beginning to come back. I feel it will be part of the grief recovery process for me. I will surely never be the same and I covet your prayers. Love you both, Ann

  8. Ann says:

    I have been truly blessed in this life and I consider you and Lucille as part of the blessing. The road seems lonely right now, but God is helping me in my recovery by restoring my mind for writing. Love y’all!

  9. Ann says:

    You guys are great as well. Thanks for the prayers of my Calvary family thru difficult times.

  10. Ann says:

    It was truly just a snapshot, I think I’ll be putting in some of our humorous travel adventures. His was a life well lived. Good to hear from you, Ann

  11. Beth Neal says:

    Ann, What a wonderful memory from Alaska. I hope to see the beautiful landscape of Alaska some time. Andy and I had considered it last summer for our 25th wedding anniversary. Love, Beth

  12. Ann says:

    I have a huge storehouse of memories and blessings from the short thirteen years I had with Bill. I am thankful for every second of them. Hope you can see Alaska and more!

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