On this past glorious Saturday, April 7 (Easter Saturday), John's ashes were lowered into Samish Bay about 1/2 mile off the beach of Larrabee State Park. This park, situated on Washington's famous Chuckanut Drive, has always been very special to John and I. Fred Higgins and his wife Carolyn supplied the boat and the three of us headed out at about 5:00 p.m. My mother, brother Rob, John's brother Ray and his daughter Emory witnessed from shore. Along with John's urn, I floated a hand-tied bouquet of cherry blossoms from our friend and neighbor Linda Steckler and a daphne odora blossom (one of John's favorites) from our garden.
When John's body was cremated, I asked if a card that I had given him this last Christmas could go with him. It was an "invitation" to our 30th anniversary wedding vow renewal which I had arranged as a surprise when we were to have been on Maui this last January. As you know, that trip was never taken.
Among other things that I that wrote to John in that invitation was a verse from a Valentine's Day card he had given me several years ago. It is the most beautiful card I have ever received and it perfectly sums up what I feel about John. I'd like to end this blog by sharing those words with you:
"You are the dream I wake from in the night...
you are the first sweet morning thing I see.
You are the bed, the roof above my head...you are the shining light
You are the home I always hoped love would be.
You are my sun, my moon, my life --
My beloved eternity."
Be sure to tell the ones you love that you do indeed love them. You'll never regret letting them know, without a doubt, how you feel. I know how John felt about me and vice versa. We left nothing unsaid. And I'm thankful for that.
Maybe I'll start a "Nancy's Progress" blog. Or perhaps I'll just update my Facebook page...now that I've finally succumbed to social networking. In the meantime, I thank each of you with all my heart for your love, friendship and support. And I love you, John...for all eternity...Nancy
Monday, April 9, 2012
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Let's Raise a Glass
I really should start another blog under another name. John has already "progressed" to the great wine tasting in the sky or whatever Heaven may be and the only ones making any "progress" are the rest of us still muddling along, trying to make sense -- and SOMETHING -- out of our lives.
However I came across something in this morning's Seattle Times that touched me and I wanted to share it with you. Although I live in the great metropolis of Blaine (Birch Bay, actually, a "suburb" of said metropolis), I like to get the Sunday Times. And as I have done since Dad passed away in '94, I read the obits. Today I noticed a listing for Rick D. Remillard. I did not know Rick D. Remillard, but in quickly scanning his obituary the word "wine" popped out. (Thank you Evelyn Wood Reading Dynamics.)
Rick D. Remillard was born in 1959, three years after John. He loved to travel and he loved wine. Throughout his brief life he would combine his two passions, tasting and researching wines, while exploring the countries of Europe and beyond. Rick earned a B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Washington and, after other jobs, became a wine steward for Central Market's Shoreline and Mill Creek stores as well as becoming a Certified Sommelier...no small feat. Unfortunately, like John, Rick died from cancer at a much-too-young age.
It's too bad Rick D. Remillard and John did not get to know each other. However, there is no doubt in my mind that Rick D. Remillard and John are raising a glass together and sharing tales of their passions for travel and that ancient nectar known as wine. I hope they save a nice Chateau Margaux for for the rest of us.
Cheers...Nancy
However I came across something in this morning's Seattle Times that touched me and I wanted to share it with you. Although I live in the great metropolis of Blaine (Birch Bay, actually, a "suburb" of said metropolis), I like to get the Sunday Times. And as I have done since Dad passed away in '94, I read the obits. Today I noticed a listing for Rick D. Remillard. I did not know Rick D. Remillard, but in quickly scanning his obituary the word "wine" popped out. (Thank you Evelyn Wood Reading Dynamics.)
Rick D. Remillard was born in 1959, three years after John. He loved to travel and he loved wine. Throughout his brief life he would combine his two passions, tasting and researching wines, while exploring the countries of Europe and beyond. Rick earned a B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Washington and, after other jobs, became a wine steward for Central Market's Shoreline and Mill Creek stores as well as becoming a Certified Sommelier...no small feat. Unfortunately, like John, Rick died from cancer at a much-too-young age.
It's too bad Rick D. Remillard and John did not get to know each other. However, there is no doubt in my mind that Rick D. Remillard and John are raising a glass together and sharing tales of their passions for travel and that ancient nectar known as wine. I hope they save a nice Chateau Margaux for for the rest of us.
Cheers...Nancy
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)