Happy (?) Thanksgiving

Dear Mike

It has been nearly 6 months since that fateful day.  Do you think it is a coincidence that your 6 month anniversary falls on Thanksgiving this year?  I think this is just another example of God's sense of humor.  As I am especially grateful every Thanksgiving, I guess I need to decide what I can be grateful for after such an eventful year:

I am thankful that when we met, we fell so deeply in love.  We were committed to each other right from the very start.  I remember our first fight - I thought you were going to walk away from me.  You just laughed at me and said, "We are fighting, silly!  We have to fight once in a while so we can make up!"  Thank you for teaching me that fighting was an inevitable part of our marriage - as was MAKING UP!  This was an important lesson for our kids, too.

I am thankful for us making a pact all those years ago  - You just had to take care of me and I would take care of everyone and everything else.  You truly held up your end of the bargain.  I had no idea what a princess I was until you were no longer here taking care of me.  I am strong and confident.  I know now that I will be ok without you by my side because you will always be in my heart.

I am thankful that having kids was never an issue with us and we raised 5 of them - and I am grateful that I was able to be a 'stay-at-home-mom' while they were young.  We were never flush with funds, but we managed to always make ends meet and give the kids the most wonderful Christmas mornings.

I am thankful that we always put our children first - but never between us.  We always remained a united front, no matter what the issue with the kids - whether we agreed with each other or not, the kids could never pit us against each other.  WE were a force NOT to be reckoned with!!  As adults, they all understand now what a team we were.

I am thankful that our household always contained more than our share of furry friends.  Well, to be honest, I am glad the kids grew up learning to live with pups and kittens - I'm not going to lie - it was really a pain in the ass for me most of the time - but it was a wonderful way for our kids to grow up.

I am so thankful for all the little things you did that never went unnoticed by our kids.  I am reminded, all the time, of your kind ways as the kids all repeat your actions and talk about you..... I hear them saying "I love you" to each other and their partners.  I see them hug and kiss each other - even if they just saw each other yesterday.  They retell stories of your silliness over and over.  We all laugh from our bellies!  They all do imitations of you at the strangest times - and it just warms my heart.  They repeat your crazy phrases and make each other giggle.

On this 6 month anniversary of the saddest day of my life, I am thankful that even though my heart is broken, I can feel the healing begin.

Your loving wife.