Stanek weekend video: Oh sweet Lorraine
by Hans Johnson
Fred Stobaugh was in the home he had shared with his wife Lorraine in East Peoria, Illinois. It would soon have been their 74th wedding anniversary, but she died two months to the day before that. “I was sitting here one night, oh about six weeks after she passed, and just sat here kind of hummin’ a little bit and it finally came to me.”
He had begun to formulate a song in tribute to his wife. And, having read in the paper of a songwriting contest being held by Green Shoe Studio, he decided to send it in. But what singer and songwriter Jacob Colgan received wasn’t the typical submission. It came in a manila envelope with a handwritten note – not a YouTube link.
He said, “I started to read the lyrics and was so touched by the song, and without even meeting Fred we thought, ‘We’re going to do something.’” With Fred’s blessing, they set about preparing a professional recording.
He was very pleased with the result:
Wonderful! Just wonderful!… It just touched me. And I know Lorraine, she heard that too. It just has been a great life – if I could do over again, I would do it.
The song really helps me. It really helps me. It just seemed like she’s just sort of with me, which I know - she’s smiling. She’s smiling down and she likes that song, I know.
[youtube]http://youtu.be/KDi4hBWsvkY[/youtube]
Email dailyvid@jillstanek.com with your video suggestions.
[HT: TheBlaze]
Jill Stanek is a nurse turned speaker, columnist and blogger, a national figure in the effort to protect both preborn and postborn innocent human life.
I wonder how much longer we’ll be hearing as many stories like this. Even now, there are quite a few people in their 80’s and 90’s who have been divorced. (and I don’t mean just former movie stars)* Of course, many of them remarry and have fairly long marriages with a later spouse, but it would be pretty much impossible for most second marriages to last 74 years!
P.S. Think any formerly married older people say “Both.” if they were in this situation themselves when they are asked about marital status?
*I personally have no problem with either divorce or remarriage, this all just kind of occurred to me while I was reading the article. (:
My grandparents were married 49 years before my grandmother passed away. My grandfather lived another 15-16 years after her. He thought about remarrying, but never did. My other grandfather stayed married to his wife until she died (cancer), then my step-grandma until she died (drowned in an undertow), then with my step-step grandma until he died last year.
My parents have been married 47 years and have said they are going to stay married to each other until one or both of them dies (which I hope isn’t for a long, long time!)
I loved this story. I actually first heard about it 2 days ago. My mother emailed it to me and my siblings and I pretty much cried all the way through it! It’s just beautiful.
Thank GOD for married couples like Fred and Lorraine who cherished and committed to each another for a lifetime. LL <3
As a widow myself i cried. Very beautiful.
Bawling my eyes out. That was so deep and so sweet. What a loving husband. God bless Fred and Lorraine.
63 years and my Billy and I will catch up with them…
Heather, prayers for you and your little boy. Love is stronger than death, still I imagine its tough being a widow. My mom talks about it a bit. I haven’t forgotten you and your family in the past several months, dear heart, fwiw. :)
Hi Heather, I am still thinking about you and worried. I hope you are doing okay.
I like the lyrics. And they did a good job with the song too.