Rick Ollie

Ex-Journalist, Cancer Fighter with Heart Disease, Michigan Native

Rick Ollie in a yellow St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital shirt and cap holding a blue rose, symbolizing hope, healing, and Valentine’s Day support for cancer awareness.
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Valentine’s Day: Love Beyond the Ordinary

…when I look at this tree, I’m reminded that I am seen beyond the struggle. Your kindness echoes louder than fear.

Rick Ollie
1–2 minutes
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Where Christmas Ornaments and Valentine Hearts meet. This is a story of friendships, strength, and love that carries me through my darkest hours.

My Christmas tree is still standing but today it carries a different kind of light. Along with your ornaments, it holds Valentine hearts. Each one marked with a name, each one a reminder that I’m not fighting alone. What started as a simple gesture has become something sacred: a living symbol of support, resilience, and love.

Loren, Tara, Kristyn, Tracy, Lily, Michelle, Nadiia, Midori & Tala, Edina, Liz, Agnes, Jen, Jan, Lily F, Yamala, Shiny, Karla and Kelli — your names hang gently from the branches, along with the ornaments you chose. The strength behind them feels immense. Every heart represents a message of encouragement that found me when I needed it most.

Some days this journey feels heavy, and doubt tries to speak louder than hope. But ‘I BELIEVE‘ when I look at this tree as I’m reminded that I am seen beyond the struggle. Your kindness echoes louder than fear. Your presence reminds me who I am when the road feels uncertain.

This isn’t just decoration; it’s a circle of support made visible. A reminder that love shows up in the smallest gestures, written in ink, tied with string, and placed carefully where it can shine.

Thank you for standing beside me, for believing with me, and for helping me hold onto faith and courage one name, one heart, and one day at a time.

Love you all! Happy Valentine’s Day!

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2 responses to “Valentine’s Day: Love Beyond the Ordinary”

  1. Jan Avatar
    Jan

    Awww … loving thoughts today.
    ❤️ Happy Valentine’s Day to you, Rick! 💜

    Such sage advice! As I digest your thread, I can’t help but think that you understand difficult circumstances better now; and, as the many months go by since your diagnosis, you bounce back more quickly. Recognize value — YOUR knowledge and experience.

    I am humbled. I can feel, own, accept, and understand my own raw emotions better after reading yours. I, too, work to enhance my life through activities, learning opportunities, and time spent with family and friends. Your writing gives me the opportunity to feel better, to talk to myself better, and perhaps, most importantly, to learn self care.

    Reply
    1. Rick Ollie Avatar
      Rick Ollie

      Jan, this may have been different had I had my test results earlier and Valentines weren’t upon us. Things turned bad for me three years ago this date. Through those days and years, I’ve learned valuable lessons. I couldn’t let this month trigger my emotions over cancer, heart disease nor her loss. Yes, all three surfaced at the same time. I can face them now without fear yet, but pain still exists. But I am Me and I will survive, Thank you for all your inspiration and kind words. Mostly thank you for being a friend! ❤️🤗🌹 Happy Valentines Day💘

      Reply

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