Every day, for close to a year now, I’ve gone to the St. Agnes Columbarium Garden to visit with Claire. A number of people have asked me why I do that. I guess I probably don’t have a good answer — it’s just something I do. Maybe something I remember from a long time ago might help explain it.
During the Vietnam War, there was a man who stood in front of the White House night after night with a candle, often alone. One rainy night a reporter stopped to interview him. He asked, “Do you really think you’re going to change the policies of this country by standing out here alone at night with a candle?” The man replied, “I don’t stand out here to change the policies of the country. I stand out here so the policies don’t change me.”
Even though life has changed, I don’t want to change. My daily visit isn’t just a habit — it’s much more. Visiting with Claire anchors my life. She is so important to me, and my relationship with her means so much to me, that I set aside time each day to communicate directly with her — it’s like giving her a call every day. To keep up my hope and assure her I’ll never forget, I keep my daily appointment with her.
It’s what I do.
— 30 —