Nothing is quite like the month of August. Someone should write a song – like Gilbert and Sullivan. Something like “It’s May. It’s May. The Lusty Month of May!” ALL of France goes on “holiday”. The rest of the world comes to town – to eat, to swim, to sunbathe, to dance, to sight-see. Tourist shops thrive. Hotels are full. Rates are high. Bushes are green; trees are leafed; roses are ripe; school is out; fruit is plentiful; skies are blue; life is lush.
Nothing is quite like the month of August for me.
August are birthdays galore. Carole’s birthday, Alice’s birthday, Rosemary’s birthday, Uncle Beamus’ birthday, Beth Ann’s birthday, Jon’s birthday, Ada’s birthday, Buddy’s birthday, Cory’s birthday, Aunt Rose’s birthday, Jean’s birthday, Lois’ birthday, Lorrie’s birthday, Hugh’s birthday, Cyrus’ birthday, Jerry’s birthday, and Chris’ birthday. (Haha – that list goes on forever.)
Monday, August 7, is my twelfth wedding anniversary. On August 7, 2005, I married the man of my dreams, Steve Orlandella. It was a Sunday in the Bellagio Hotel’s Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas. We were surrounded by family and friends – Auntie Rose, Uncle Gerry, Ben, Jeff, John, Gina, Dante, Dom, Stefano, Renata, Francesca.
Friday, August 11, is Steve’s birthday. On August 11, 1950, Therese and Vito Orlandella had a son, Felice Steven Orlandella. He would have been 67.
Thursday, August 31, is Steve’s death day. On August 31, 2016, Felice Steven Orlandella was taken off machines by French doctors at Hopital l’Archet, in Nice, France, after a stay of one month – August – in the hospital. He died of heart failure after surviving double pneumonia. Why am I posting this shot? Because he suffered for the whole month of August, like this. It breaks my heart. His birthday, his anniversary, his life he lost in August. Somehow, it is important that we understand with him, for a moment, how he must have suffered.
This is the way I will remember him – vibrant, sexy, alive, and happy. My Sweetheart, forever.
My Month of August will never go by unnoticed.
Best, Jay
JAYSPEAK 
August : Steve & you married in August.
Steve was born in August
Steve died in August
—-the list goes on
………..
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This is a beautiful blog. The Wedding was so beautiful, I saw the love between you two, I know you’re thankful for the time God gave you and Steve and I’ve stayed in touch with you and saw many emotions from your writings. I also see how you have continued to go on the best you could under the circumstances and Stevecwould be so proud of you for your bravery for the way you keep living your life.
I understand the picture of Steve you posted, it shows you face reality of death that comes unexpectedly and we can’t change the plan, I know how you hurt, grieve, and the reason I know that, is my own husband was in a respirator for 3 months, in a coma and how hard it was for me. The difference is God had a different plan for him, the doctors said he’d die when they removed the ventilator & all life support and let him die, but he kept breathing for 2 more years.
Jay , feel free to delete my long reply, but this just touched my heart and I feel the happiness and sadness you lived though and you’re here telling the story with gorgeous wedding pictures.Dont worry about the opinion of people who haven’t walked in your shoes. May God bless and comfort you.🙏
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Marie, I don’t want to delete your post. It means a lot to me. Thank you for taking the time to write it. Sending love. Jay
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Jay:
What a beautiful tribute, except for the very sad picture of Steve at the end. Tim saw it, and told me he’d hunt me down and haunt me if I ever did that to him. Memories are golden and glorious, but not always pretty. Think I’ll stick to the pretty ones.
Love your honest approach to life, however, so just keep writing and sharing…
Have a wonderful time with Barbara, when she arrives….I’ll miss joining you two…
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This post is not a tribute. On the contrary, it is about the power of August. I have written many tributes to him before. Maybe you missed them. I disagree that it makes Steve look bad or puts him in a bad light. Or that he would be furious at me for posting it. He went through hell. No one knew. Many wondered how he could be so well and die? Questioned doctors and treatment. He was like this for a month. There it is.
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Steve was born in August; We got married in August; He was in the hospital fighting for his life for a month, the month of August; I was there by his side for that month of August. He died in August. What can I say? You are right- These memories are golden. I will never stick to just the pretty ones.
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