They’re in a better place now. Okay, yeah, I got that and yes, they are.
They went together. Got that one too. The only comforting part of that scenario is understanding that neither of them will ever have to endure life without the other, as is inevitable for the majority of couples.
They’ll remain forever young. They will, but there’s nothing wrong with growing old and holding grandchildren and experiencing the years when it’s a little harder to hit the ground running in the morning.
Death occurs every single day. In each instance lives are forever changed. Sometimes we’re better prepared. This time we were not.
They were in their prime. They had parents to usher through the last years of life. They had future grandchildren to hold, a son’s shoulders to pin rank on and a daughter to someday walk down the aisle. They had friends to meet for dinner and a summer vacation in Europe to plan. They had more sunsets to watch over the Potomac, cocktails in hand.
Our lives first touched at Wurtsmtih AFB, in Michigan, in the early 80’s. Twenty years later we spent almost two years as next door neighbors at Ellsworth AFB in South Dakota. Rather than sharing memories I’ll simply share a few pictures:
Today, the news of their passing is still sinking in. On my walk this morning I crossed over a small bridge and heard a lot of splashing. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a row of rather large turtles bailing into the water, one after the other, startled at my passing. I paused to count them as they surfaced….nine of them, coming up for air only after disappearing into the safety of the water. All except one. One lone turtle who stayed on that piece of concrete, totally unafraid of me, soaking up and enjoying the sun, just as he was before I happened by. He was eyeing me but darned if he was going to be disturbed during his enjoyment.
I’m not sure if it was Joe or Sue who was sending me a message, perhaps both. Perhaps I just needed to find some comfort and clarity and was looking for it too intently but I like to think that the message is this…..don’t be afraid, keep soaking in that sun, enjoy each and every moment. And do it for us, because our tomorrow didn’t come.
Be the tenth turtle.
Thanks for all the memories. Thanks for all the meals shared at your table, the miles spent hiking in the Black Hills with bottles of wine and feasts of bread and cheese in your backpacks. Thanks for the thousands of smiles and your welcoming hearts.
You showed us all, by your example, how to dance. And dance on, we will. But not without hurting.
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