I See Them Dancing

Moonlight Over Alaska

Moonlight Over Alaska — © MSN Clipart

“I see them dancing somewhere in the moonlight”. Those are the words that sparked an interesting talk with hubby and me the other night. Funny, after over 48 years, how in a moment’s notice love and romance show up and lets you know they’re always there.

That’s what happened to us and it was lovely when we found ourselves dancing in each other’s arms.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Hubby had just finished a book by Pete Hamill, called “Snow in August”, and was telling me how, in the end, the rabbi finally got to dance with his late wife in the moonlight. It reminded me of a song I’ve always loved. So, we dug through the CD’s and found it.

As we danced, I felt my heart fill with love and could imagine the same for the 2 lovers John Denver wrote about dancing in the moonlight on the frozen Alaskan tundra.

Back in 2008, I wrote a whole week of posts for Valentine’s. One post was called “A Song For All Lovers” and included this song. He wrote it in tribute to wilderness pioneers 93-year old Mardy Murie and her late husband, their love for each other and Alaska.

I realized that night how tender and endearing love is no matter what age. You can’t purchase it or force it but is something to be longed for and cherished. I’m blessed to have my lover still with me, after so many years, and hope to hold our love close to my heart for many years to come like Mardy.

Now, in our golden years, as our lives rush along at a faster pace, the moments become more precious. They’ll warm my heart and I’ll remember when we danced, not in the moonlight and frozen tundra, but at home in the Rocky Mountains in our living room.

Hold your loved ones close and remember the moments you have together.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Pat from the ol’ kitchen table

Digiprove sealCopyright secured by Digiprove © 2015-2021 Pat Ruppel
Acknowledgements: Moonlight Over Alaska -- © MSN Clipa more...

24 thoughts on “I See Them Dancing

    • Thank you, Susan, and Happy Valentine’s Day to you and your beloved. Yes, I agree, we truly are lucky to have with us our life partners. 🙂

  1. He had a beautiful voice. He sang about mountains and states, Alabama, Colarado, Alaska. His music brought us places – “goin’ in my mind…” You went with him in his mind and saw the beauty of the great land God has blessed us with. Still love to hear those old songs.

    • He did have a beautiful voice, Patricia Marie. I miss him and his passion for nature and conservation. Thank God, we have his legacy and his music. Here’s another one I love about West Virginia “Take Me Home, Country Roads“.

      Thank you — I’m happy you stopped by and enjoyed the music. Hope you’ll come back. 🙂

    • So happy you enjoyed it, Diana, and love that you got in a little dancing yourselves. 🙂 Hope you had a great Valentine’s Day (not sure if you celebrate it where you’re at or not)!

  2. Pat, you and Jim have such a special relationship…thank you for sharing your romantic moment with us. I have a lovely Valentine’s Day story to share with you. I was in Massena, NY this Valentine’s Day, giving a talk about my book. An elderly gentleman in the audience had arranged for a Barbershop Quartet to come into the room at break time to sing a beautiful love song to his wife and present her with a rose. Many of us were moved to tears to share in their love…it was so uplifting, as love always is.

    • Thank you, Bev. I was happy to share and that you enjoyed it. I love your story of the elderly man’s beautiful love song to his wife.

      Those tender moments are endearing and remind us how special love is not only with those close to us but everyone we encounter. I’m glad it made your Valentine’s Day special. 🙂

  3. Oh Pat, this is so beautiful, you have me shedding a tear or two! How romantic is this? Just wonderful. It really in is such spontaneous moments such as these that our hearts are filled with true love, romance and joy. What a beautiful love affair you and Jim share in your home in the Rocky Mountains…and for many years to come! What better message for Valentine’s Day. God bless you my friend 🙂 <3

  4. Pat, Could not be a more loving Valentine’s Day piece/post!!! So special because it is personal & so loving. You are both fortunate to have one-another for 48 years & going as Geri & I are for our 42 years & counting. I love the way you refer, use, & identify with certain songs!!! John Denver’s music is so special! Music is an important part of our lives too! And I enjoyed how your husband related the end of the Pete Hamill book to you about the rabbi dancing with his wife in the moonlight & that motivated you to dig out the John Denver CD!!! –A great post because it’s your life together & so real. –And thanks for reading & commenting about JFK at my “place”! Phil

    • 42 years and counting — that’s fantastic, Phil! So many stories and special times you could also tell, I’m sure. I’m happy you can relate to those special moments we have with our spouses and the music that speaks to us. John Denver was one-of-a-kind and his spirit and message, no doubt, will ring out for years to come.

      Thank you for stopping by and sharing. It means a lot when, in reading, it can transport you to a place of your own that’s real. If I’ve done that, I’m happy. Have a great weekend, Phil, and hope to read more and exchange stories. 🙂

  5. I loved John Denver, but I had no idea the history behind this particular song. How wonderful that you and your hubby still enjoy each other and your time together.I hope you dance in your living room many more times.

    • Thank you, Lois. I’m glad you checked out the history behind the song. It’s amazing.

      On the CD, John Denver speaks to the audience before singing his song about Mardy and her late husband and their love for each other and the work they had done for Alaska. I couldn’t find a YouTube that includes his short talk and these are the closest I could find. It’s a shame it’s been left out as it’s a moving and tender part leading into the song in how he describes how he envisioned them dancing in the moonlight on the frozen tundra.

      I’m blessed, Lois, in still having my partner with me after all these years and could share it with you. I’m happy you enjoyed it. 🙂

  6. A great post and I love those pictures. Love. It’s so strong and yet so fragile. I am happy for you that you still have your lover with you. Such love will gather more memories. I hope to have a long, healthy life with my lover.

    • Thank you, Denise. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Love is strong, like you said, and fragile . . . like a rose, to be treated tenderly and deserving respect. It’s hard to imagine we’ve been together for so many years. It doesn’t seem that long when you put a number to it. I wish you many happy and healthy years with your lover, too, my friend. May you make a lot of sweet memories together. 🙂

I would love to hear from you. . .thank you for stopping by.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.