My in-laws celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary last week. As I picked out a card for them it hit me that I won’t be celebrating any more anniversaries with Neal. We had 32 good years together. The day we were married it was beastly hot and rained during the service. During the pastor’s charge, “God said it is not good for man to be alone,” there was a loud burst of thunder right on cue. Now I will be “celebrating” August 31 instead of June 7.
Monday night ended up being Collin’s last soccer game, probably in his career Our team lost the first game of districts. It was a difficult loss for Collin because he wanted to win the game in Neal’s honor. At the beginning of the game Collin ran over the field and handed me an arm band with Neal’s initials on it. The whole team wore them. I proudly put mine on in the midst of tears. Collin probably won’t forget the date of the game between Bridgman and Lake Michigan Catholic.
Some other important dates I remember:
March 3, 1983: the birth of Britton and Grant
Dec. 22, 1986: the birth of Whitney
Feb. 2, 1992: the birth of Karsten
Mach 28, 1995: the day we adopted 6 month old Collin
Now I have added my daughter-in-laws, son-in-law and grandsons dates of birth. I remember the dates that our family went on a mission trip to Zambia. I remember when I graduated from my master’s program, the kid’s weddings, the day we moved in our house, our trip for our 10th wedding anniversary, the day I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I could go on and on. Most of the dates I remember bring back fond memories. With time, the ones that are more difficult have brought strength, new abilities, peace, a new awareness of God. I suppose with time Neal’s passing will be easier to accept.
On the journey,
Trish