Laura and I were married July 31, 1999, ten years ago today. I know that today will be difficult at times for me, and I do feel a particular sadness and real void with her absence. I don't spend much time thinking about "what could have been", but tonight I am thinking about ten years ago, about the special trip we were planning to take for this anniversary, and about how we would have felt looking back on ten years and looking forward to many more. It will seem sad and strange to just have a regular day.
Our wedding and the events that surrounded it were so special. We were very happy, and everyone seemed to have a great time and was happy for us. It was a wonderful time of life, and the memories are so fresh for me even today. It literally feels like yesterday.
The night before our wedding, after the rehearsal dinner, we gathered in the house of my good friend, Randy Gray. My friends began to offer me advice, one-by-one. The only one that I remember was from my friend, and Boys State hero, Jim Whitfield. Jim had recently lost his wife of many decades, and I remember the look on his face and the pain he felt when he simply said.... "just cherish her".
I always did cherish her, and still do. I just never thought we would have so little time.
I hope we will all remind ourselves to cherish the ones we love and to find joy in the moments we share; not just the big events, but the everyday lives we live together.
Friday, July 31, 2009
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