Man Passes Away After 41 Years of Marriage – Days Later, His Heartbroken Wife Receives a Letter From Him
He knew his wife would have a hard time recovering after his death.
Emily Dickinson once said, “Unable are the loved to die, for love is immortality.”
Richard Schultz died in November 2016 after he was married to his wife Roberta for 41 years.
Richard was survived by Roberta, their children, and their grandchildren.
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He knew it would be a difficult mourning process for Roberta and he wanted to make it as easy as possible. That’s why he prepared for his death before it actually came.
“He was worried how she would take it once he passed,” Richard’s granddaughter, Marissa Mendez, told BuzzFeed News.
Richard arranged for a letter and a gift basket to arrive to Roberta’s doorstep, and it did — four days after his death.
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“Hi Honey, I made sure our girls will always take care of you. Please let them love you and help you through this time,” the note read. “Find happiness through our memories, our children, and our grandchildren. Don’t cry for me, for I am waiting for you.”
Roberta was touched by the surprise.
“[She] thought that it was beautiful and she cried,” Mendez said. “He chose the fruit basket because he knew she loves fruit.”
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17-year-old Marissa wanted to share this moment with the world, so she posted a photo of the gift basket on Twitter, and the reactions flooded in.
Strangers who never knew Richard or Roberta were both heartbroken and inspired by Richard’s deed and love for his wife.
“I am actually bawling my eyes out,” commented one person.
“I’m in tears,” said another person. “That’s so beautiful and loving.”
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Many of the replies were accompanied by photos of people with real tears streaming down their faces.
Though Roberta is still “heartbroken,” Richard’s gift basket has helped remind her of both his love and the love from her friends and family.
Losing a loved one is never easy and everyone grieves in their own way, but Richard made sure his wife knew that she had her daughters there to support her. Little did he know that all of these strangers would be invested in their love, too.
