Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day

Song: Carolina in my Mind by James Taylor

I open my eyes and see a blurred shape above me. As my eyes come back into focus, I see a beautiful little girl. My beautiful little girl. She smiles and turns her head to two women in the corner. One I know is my nurse, and the other is my wife.

"Mommy, mommy! He's awake!" the little girl cries. My wife rushes over to me and kneels next to my hospital bed. I can see her tears, and I want to wipe them away. I want to make them vanish. I want to hold her in my arms. But I can't. My arms don't move anymore. Neither do my legs or any other part of my body. Only my head is left. They say that I am paralyzed. What they mean is that I will never walk again. Never hold my daughter or my wife again. Never live again.

"Karen, my dearest Karen," I say, looking at my daughter. She has grown since the last time I saw her. Her hair glows the same fiery red color as my own. Her eyes though, her amazing chocolate eyes, those are her mother's. I smile at her, trying to tell her that everything will be ok. I can't stand lying to her. "Can you give mommy and daddy some time to talk?" I ask. She looks disappointed, but nods. The nurse takes her hand and leads her out of the room. As the door closes, I give my wife my final goodbye.

"'Mione, I can't lie to you. This...this is it." I had never been one for words, but I try my best to tell her that this is the end.

In my mind I'm goin' to Carolina

"No," she breathes. "I won't accept that."

"I'm sorry, but this is my time. I love you, Hermione, you know I do."

"Ron..."she begins. She chokes on her tears.

"I'm going to a better place. Where there is no hate, no darkness. Where there is sunshine. And peace. I will be fine."

Can't you see the sunshine

Can't you just feel the moonshine

Ain't it just like a friend of mine

It hit me from behind

Yes I'm goin' to Carolina in my mind

"Take care of her," I say, my eyes toward the door. "I will miss her so much. Tell her I love her and that I will always there, in her heart." I feel a tear roll down my cheek.

Karen she's a silver sun

You best walk her way and watch it shinin'

Watch her watch the mornin' come

A silver tear appearing now I'm cryin'

Ain't I goin' to Carolina in my mind

I look at the love of my life, the keeper of my heart and soul, and it kills me to see her this way. I love her more than anything. Anything in this world or the next. And to see her mourn for me is the hardest thing I have or ever will go through.

There ain't no doubt it no one's mind

That love's the finest thing around

Whisper something soft and kind

And hey babe the sky's on fire, I'm dyin'

Ain't I goin' to Carolina in my mind

In my mind I'm goin' to Carolina

Can't you see the sunshine

Can't you just feel the moonshine

Ain't it just like a friend of mine

It hit me from behind

Yes I'm goin' to Carolina in my mind

I watch her cry, her face in her hands and I think about how I could have died without seeing her one last time. I almost did. Last night was the roughest night of my life. I was able to hold on to my life just to see her again.

Dark and silent last night

I think I might have heard the highway calling

Geese in flight and dogs that bite

Signs that might be omens say I going, going

I'm goin' to Carolina in my mind

And it is true, I am going to a better place. I will be with God in heaven above me. But I will miss life, as painful as it is. I will miss the love and compassion that can exist in a violent hell such as this.

With a holy host of others standing 'round me

Still I'm on the dark side of the moon

And it seems like it goes on like this forever

"Hermione." She looks up at me and I see her makeup running down her face. "I'm sorry."

You must forgive me

"I'm sorry for doing this to you."

If I'm up and gone to Carolina in my mind

"I'm sorry for..."

She cuts me off, putting a finger to my lips. She leans over and places her lips against mine. Her sweet taste and her aroma enflames my senses and numbs my mind. Yes, this I will miss too.

In my mind I'm goin' to Carolina

Can't you see the sunshine

Can't you just feel the moonshine

Ain't it just like a friend of mine

It hit me from behind

Yes I'm goin' to Carolina in my mind

I feel it now. The same pain I felt last night. I moan in pain and she pulls away from me. I hear her voice call my name. Soft at first, then louder. I try to hold on to her voice, but I slip and fall into the silent oblivion of my mind. I suddenly feel strong hands wrap around my arms, pulling me upward. An angel of God. And who else's face could my angel have. My Hermione's. My angel.

Gone to Carolina in my mind

And I'm gone to Carolina in my mind

Gone to Carolina in my mind

Gone, I'm gone...

R.I.P.

Here lies Ronald Weasley.

Loving Husband, Devoted Father,

And Incredible Friend

Served in The Battle of The Ministry, The Battle of Surrey,

And The Battle of London

Casualty of War

Born August 9, 1980

Died February 14, 2010, Valentine's Day