Courtesy of Hyper Vocal:
When a man pines for his deceased beloved wife, it usually has the power to punch you right in the feels. But when it’s a 96-year-old man remembering through song the life and love he shared with the same woman for 75 years, you can’t help but feel his sincere pain.
This gentleman is Fred Stobaugh, a Peoria, Illinois, man who had recently lost his everything: Lorraine. When Fred heard about a contest run by Green Shoe Studio to upload a finished song to YouTube, he knew he wasn’t especially musical, but he sent in the lyrics to a song for his life’s partner. Green Shoe took it from there, producing the song and playing it back for Fred, whose reaction is heartbreakingly awesome.
God what I would not do to feel a love that strong.
So beautiful. And touching. And sad.
Just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteYou and me both, Gryph. You and me both.
ReplyDeleteThey had 75 years together. His love for her is just so damn beautiful.
This was awesome! I'm cryin' so hard....stories like this are so rare these days....
DeleteI'm so glad he did this for Fred, in Memory of "Sweet Lorraine".♥
What a wonderful story. I'm heading to itunes now to help support Fred, he wrote a beautiful song. He deserves it.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right, a simpler time perhaps...truly a lovely story. How lucky the people of Peoria are to have a Green Shoe studio with such caring people. It just goes to show how making money means nothing in the end...love like this is worth everything.
ReplyDeleteI love how sharp he is, how articulate he is, how palpable his love for his wife is. I also think the guy from the studio is extremely professional and kind and "gets it." This is profound. LOVE LOVE LOVE the finished product!
ReplyDeleteJillyG
You'd have to be made of stone not to tear up over this lovely story and the beautiful song that came out of it. The way that they honored him and his love for his bride Lorraine really touched me and made me feel grateful that there are people like Jacob who act from their heart and honor those who should be honored, and in such a glorious way.
ReplyDelete7 minutes; watershed.
DeleteSome people are so lucky to be loved so much in life!
(I think that's also why I'm crying. I've been married for ten years and I am not in love with my husband - and I don't know if he is in love with me. We have a young daughter so no divorce...yet.)
Damn, I have listened to this so many times now. It is about Lorraine, but it could be a song about anyone who has lost someone they treasured...a sister, a mother, a child. It is a song of longing for times gone by and the desire to re-live them with the person that you loved. Just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteMy parents had that kind of love, I can still see in my Dad's eyes when he speaks about her. They only had 65 yrs together instead of 75.
ReplyDeleteI sometimes wonder how you get that kind of love and I think it that it's the kind of love that grows more and more each passing year. That it's a special kind of love made stronger by every challenge that life throws in front of people, the things that can damage or end most loves just make that type of love grow and grow, deeper and stronger, a united front against the world, radiating love to all those near. Fred is one hellava guy and Lorraine must have been one hellava lady
Oh, I loved this too. Had tissues nearby, used them. Loved being able to see his first reaction listening to it. What a dear, wonderful man. And the young man who produced the song too. I'm so glad to know there really are men in the world who have hearts like this.
ReplyDeleteThere are times when I think our world is so dark and cold, filled with people who only care about themselves. But Fred and those at Green Shoe Studio fill my heart with hope for humanity. I am grieving for Fred and my heart is sorrowful for his loss. But I'm so happy he had his "Sweet Lorraine" for 75 years. What a lovely couple. And because I sometimes I like to dip my toes into the shallow end of the pool, Fred was quite the hottie!
ReplyDeleteLove like this is an amazingly powerful thing. I think widowers have a much harder time coping than widows, although the pain of loss is the same. I could feel this man's grief and pain being lifted slightly by having his lyrics put to music. I downloaded his song to give him a pat on the back.
ReplyDeleteThe closest professional song that comes close to this is "Beloved Wife" by Natalie Merchant.
What a beautiful story. Thank you for posting, Gryphen. I just bought the song.
ReplyDeleteI loved not only the story of Fred's love for Lorraine, but also when Fred was singing and the composer was working out the tune; then when they played it, it is such a moving and beautiful melody. Love it!
R in NC