Our Incredible Journey

08/19/2024

Blog Post 35 - The Last of the Firsts

This post is overdue; in many ways, it's all for good reasons. For the past ten years, July 30th has been a day on which I have had the good fortune to celebrate both my birthday and our legal...

07/15/2024

Blog Post 34 - Embracing Change, Embracing Life

When I opened my mailbox this morning, I found a letter from Capital Caring, the hospice care organization that helped me navigate Chris' final months. It started, "Dear Caregiver, Nine months have...

04/14/2024

Post 33 - Time & The Widower's Identity
(Not sure why the link isn't displaying, but I have it in the Comments)

The story of two husbands navigating life, love, and terminal illess.

02/07/2024

Post 32 - A Very Special Day. Happy Birthday, sweetheart. ❤

It's been a few weeks since I posted on the blog - not because I haven't thought about it. Anyone who knows me will not be surprised that I've created a formal storyboard, capturing ideas for...

01/09/2024

I am reminded every day of how wonderful our dog community is.
Thank you, Terry Porter, for the lovely bracelet. I will wear it as a gentle nudge when needed during my path forward. ❤️

01/01/2024

I wish everyone a wonderful new year filled with nothing but joy, health, and genuine happiness. ❤

Post 31: A New Year - Embracing Life

​It's the eve of the New Year - 2024. From a practical point of view, it's just another day on the calendar. But ritually, it's become a day the world has used as a celebratory transition from...

12/26/2023

On this day 31 years ago, the universe brought us face to face for the first time, and my world was forever changed.

One year ago today, I took you to the hospital and heard the words heart failure for the first time, and my world was forever changed.

I miss you every day, but I am so grateful to have had someone so extraordinary standing beside me. I am who I am today because of you. You changed my world forever. ❤

12/25/2023

Christmas Morning 2018.
While so much of my heart in this photo is no longer with me, the beautiful memories remain. (I still can't believe he convinced me to dress in coordinating pajamas.)
I'm doing my best today not to grieve what I've lost but to be thankful for all I had. ❤

No matter what today looks like for you, I hope you take a moment to reflect on the blessings in your life and, if you can, make wonderful new memories.
Happy Christmas - 🌲

12/21/2023

I want to sincerely thank everyone who embraced me (figuratively and literally) this past weekend in Florida. Thank you for intuitively understanding what I was feeling. Thank you for sharing your own stories of loss. And thank you for confirming to me how wonderful our big dog show family really is. It meant the world. ❤

Post 30 - You Are Brave

​At one point early on in Chris's health challenges, someone referred to me as brave. While I appreciated the sentiment, I didn't give it any real credence because I didn't believe it. To me,...

12/12/2023

Speechless.
I just received this incredible original oil, painted by Chris's aunt Lynda Clayton. Thank you, Lynda. I will treasure it always. ❤🦢