Today would have been our 52nd wedding anniversary.
Since our marriage on May 6, 1972 we were together — physically — 18,896 days. Of course, we’re still together — our relationship didn’t end, it only changed. As my now favorite song so aptly puts into words, “I’ll keep a part of you with me, and everywhere I am, there you’ll be.”
Death is a cruel thing and hard to deal with for us left behind. I’ve heard it said that when someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure. I suppose that may be true, but Claire was always a treasure. People have tried to tell me about grief and their words are comforting, but no one warned me that grief would be so frightening.
Claire passed away when she was 77 years, 7 months and 17 days old. That’s a lot of sevens — probably some numerologists could make something of that, but to me it means that she died much too young and much too soon.
I was just thinking about when we met — it just took a minute to say hello…. and now more than 3 months later, I’m still trying to figure out how to say goodbye.
Happy Anniversary, Menoi — I love you….
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