Memories Live On

Today, April 26, is our fourth Wedding Anniversary. I can’t say what we would have done. Something special for certain – every day was special.

We went out in Monterey on Jeannie’s sixtieth birthday, her last. We were back at Paddy’s at Chateau Elan in Braselton Georgia in October, one of Jeannie’s favorite places. That same weekend, we met friends – Martin, Mike, daughter Courtney, Murphy was there, too – after Petit Le Mans. That was the last time Jeannie was well enough to go out.

I’m thinking today of what was. But I can’t help thinking, too, of what could have – would have – been.

Many years ago, Jeannie gave me a book called “Love in the 90’s” about the love between a couple who were able to grow old together. It was inscribed in her hand in the flap.

“Tom, my love – Merry Christmas,” she wrote. “I am looking forward to growing old with you. Someday there could be a book about us like this one. Your Jeannie.”

Of course there won’t be that book, but there are – and will be – others. There were only three anniversaries together after our wedding in Las Vegas, but there were many stories, many wonderful times.

The stories and times began years before this scene from that April day in 2004; the memories will go on forever.