David and I were born only two days apart, out of all the years I’ve known him we’ve only been able to spend 3 birthdays together… Our 16th, our 21st, and our 22nd birthdays… (Picture taken at Six Flags California, April 2006, our 21st Birthdays) Previously, I looked forward to new years to come, new challenges… another birthday… life.
young widow
Things Change …..
… whether you want them to or not. I mean —- obviously, right? I decided to carry forward with both Michele’s post and Michelle’s post. After Jim died I never considered removing my wedding rings. Never. I felt it would be on my finger forever. And for many, many months it was. And then one day ….. that feeling changed. I know that I am still…
In Sickness and in Health
I have many memories of hospitals from the months of Daniel’s cancer treatment. I was at every appointment, every procedure, in some cases I was Daniel’s voice because the nurses and doctors weren’t always patient enough to understand his altered speech. I remember him telling me how much he appreciated me being there, and how much it meant to him…
My Favorite Trail
Long Canyon Trail, in my hometown of Simi Valley, is one of my favorite places. This beautiful dirt road has been pounded by my feet on many a run. It is also the place where Phil and I most often rode our mountain bikes, went for evening runs, took the kids for night hikes looking for frogs, and did many a “double workout” on the steep hills that…
My Wedding Ring
I confess… I am an American Idol fan. I know, I know, but I love the show. So, for those of you who don’t watch, this year in the finals there is a young widower named Danny Goeke. As the season has progressed I have watched Danny with interest as he grows as an artist, and I can sometimes imagine that I see him processing his grief.In the early…
La Vie en Rose
It’s just one of those days, where the sun can’t shine enough to get me out of this funk. One of those days where my bed held me hostage, and I didn’t mind. One of those days where I don’t feel like doing much, and you know what…………… I’m totally ok with that!I’ve learned that at first I dreaded these days, they were a reminder that not…
My Valley
It’s Thursday. As I lay in my bed pondering all the emotions I’ve traveled through this week… I can’t help but smile and shake my head… Wow. Where the heck did I go this week?? And how did I get back?! Have you ever traveled through the depths of the “valley” of grief and lost recognition of who you are? I think and say things that surprise…
My Circle …
This picture is from our last vacation …. we went to Alaska in June of 2007. Jim died in December, 5 months later. I love this picture because it really “shows” us. We didn’t know it was being taken and were just enjoying some quiet time together. We held hands …. all of the time. I hate how empty my hand feels now. And this is the…
Still Looking for Signs
The weather on the day of Daniel’s funeral was spectacular. It was early November, 75 degrees and beautifully sunny. When they covered his grave, all of the funeral flowers were placed on top of it. Although the service was long over, family and friends still lingered, and no one seemed ready to leave. I know for me it was a finality I wasn’t yet…
What My Kids Have Taught Me
There is not much I wouldn’t do for my three kids. You know, jump in front of an on-coming train to save their lives, feed them first from my last ration of bread, offer myself as a meal for the hungry bear that is chasing them…pretty much anything. In the normal course of life moms feed, bathe, clothe, soothe, encourage, celebrate, hold, hug,…
See You In My Dreams
Dreams take on a whole new meaning after the loss of your soul mate. They are a realm you travel to each night, with their population and surroundings always a mystery. Sometimes I have dreams in which I see my love; that smile, that face, that counterpart of my being. There have been times I’ve been able to speak with him and other times in which…
The truth?
Have you ever had to lie to protect yourself? To protect what’s left of you? I thought I was ready to go back to work 3 months after David was killed. I have no particular logic as to why I thought it was time to mingle with the “others” but I assumed if I just refused eye contact I’d be OK. In my line of work, you see the same people maybe once…