On the Wings of an Angel

These poems capture my 35-year love affair with my wife, Anna Mae, who recently passed away from stage three ovarian cancer. She loved me unconditionally, and in return, I endeavored to give her countless reasons to feel cherished. Anna Mae was my everything, and her loss has left me devastated. Witnessing her battle with the illness and undergoing chemotherapy inspired me to write and express my emotions. In these poems, I weave our life story, celebrating the decades we shared.

We first came together when I was just sixteen and spent twenty years together before tying the knot in 2007. I suppose I wanted to be absolutely certain she was the one for me - though, in hindsight, there was never any doubt. In 2000, we expanded our family by adopting five nieces and nephews, three girls and two boys, embarking on an extraordinary journey together. I always strived to bring happiness to my wife, embodying the essence of the quote, ‘It doesn’t take much to make a woman happy, but it takes even less to piss her off.’

In January 2023, Anna Mae succumbed to her battle with cancer. To my loving wife, now in heaven, these poems are for you. Thank you for joining me on this incredible ride.

Matthew Scully was born in Albany, New York, and still resides near the Albany area. He was 12 years old, the first time he laid eyes on the future love of his life. Matthew’s greatest achievement was persuading his wife to marry him. By age 30, he became a homeowner. He and his wife couldn’t have children of their own, but an opportunity arose for them to adopt not only one child but five children in total. To give you a bit of a backstory, the children are Matthew’s nieces and nephews from his wife’s sister who sadly passed away. Matthew and his wife decided that they would take responsibility and raise these children as their own.