Hon

What I read at my husband's burial service.

I’ve had trouble being creative since you’ve been gone. You were my inspiration…I’ve no one to draw for, play music for, to write for, or to be here for.

All I could feel was the pain and loneliness…I couldn’t remember the little things that made you so special. But I have started to remember…

You loved Hank, Patsy, Carrie and Kelli. You loved fried chicken, my cavatini and Deb’s sopapilla cheesecake. You loved dancin’…matter of fact “our move” was perfected on a trail road while checking pastures. And you loved to play cards…any kind. And your Mom did say “it is just a game” but… she also played to win. You loved to play hi-low 6 point with Dan and Rod. You loved your card-playin’ neighbors and Diet Pepsi. You loved sunsets and baby calves running through the hay, roses, and Oriental poppies. You even found the beauty in poppy thistles with their white tissue-paper blossoms. You loved clouds and thunderstorms, frost on the trees and rainbows. You loved the mountains and the Sandhills. You loved life and lived it. You loved your great big Buoy family. You loved your kids, your grandbabies and …me

LeRoy…It never mattered what I was all excited about…you were always supportive. You were my biggest fan…

When I began drawing again…you were there with an artistic eye to help. You had a wonderful creative spirit…

When I began playing guitar again…you listened like I was a star…even when I played the same song a million times trying to get it right. You wanted to play guitar so much…and I should’ve bought you a strum stick.

I only hope that you knew how much I loved you and still do…which is why I wrote the following…

Love Ya Hon

It started before we married…
and continued long after our vows.
I thought it was so cute and sweet
and made me feel so proud.
You never missed a chance
to show your love for me.
You started each day with
”Good morning Hon”
And ended them with…
“I love ya Hon”

When Angela came to visit,
It was always such a treat.
You were so glad to see her,
the reason quite complete.
You shared a sense of humor
and a crooked smile besides.
But when you called her “hon” one day,
and my eyes were opened wide.
But she is your daughter
so I know the reason why.

Then there was that night
we were dancing at the Bronco.
We danced until the music stopped…
for the band to take a breather.
One of your many cousins
was working there that night.
She brought around our order
and set it out just right…
Then you said…
“thanks Hon”…

Okay, I’m startin’ to wonder,
Or was it just a blunder?
When you called me Hon…
I believed I was unique
Now I find there are three of us
And…frankly…the honor’s growin’ weak.

It was springtime in the Sandhills
and the calves were being born.
We had a Hereford heifer
with a problem in the morn.
We brought her to the corral
to help the calf along.
And as we herded her…
up to the barn.
You slapped her on the rump…
“come on now…
go on…get in there Hon.”

I stopped dead in my tracks…
I couldn’t believe my ears
You called that cow Hon…
The reference was very clear…
I gotta say it brought a tear…
And after that the name…
it lost some of the glitter
‘cause you put me on…
the same level…
as that danged ol’ critter.

But the years went by
And the tears were dried and gone.
I came to understand
You loved me all along.
I know you hold my name…
down deep in your heart.
‘Cause long ago you turned to me,
during an ultra sound,
and asked if I could see my name
carved there in your heart.

When we were in the hospital…
and I didn’t want to let you go.
That’s when I started searching…
for the words to let you know…
how I’d never love again
without you every day.
I could only think of one word
that said it all for me.
So I called you Hon…
to honor your love for me.
There will only be one “Hon” for me…
The one…for all eternity…
The one carved here in my heart…
The Hon that stands…for you and me…

I Love ya Hon…