…Today our lives were joined, became entwined …I swear to you our time has just begun…*
Ira: Thirty nine years ago we had a sweet wedding. You called it a ceremony. Over the years I teased you about your fear of commitment. Afraid to say wedding, you used ceremony. Nevertheless, we were married.
Over the years we celebrated every 9th day of any month. And should the 9th land on a Friday it was especially nice. We were married on Good Friday, April 9, 1982, thirty nine years ago.
On our trips back to California to see our children we,I would buy greeting cards for every occasion. I always chose several Valentine and anniversary cards . On one anniversary I went into the box where I kept all of the cards. The special one that I had chosen to give to Ira was not there! I chose another, and wondered what happened to it. On my pillow that night, was an envelope. Inside was the special card, signed by Ira!
Another year, after a very stressful time in my business I was sitting at the breakfast table.Ira was fiddling around in the laundry room. He came out with a lovely card and some flowers. I had completely forgotten that it was our anniversary! I started to cry. Ira took me in his arms and said ” It’s OK darling, I know you love me. I love you.”
For 36 years we celebrated our anniversary, sometimes with dinner out, trips to the wine country, walks on the beach, sinful desserts at our favorite cafe ,or quiet dinners at home.
Our last anniversary together was celebrated at lunchtime at our favorite La Paz restaurant, Nim. It was a lovely, sweet day, We dressed up and had a delicious meal. Ira tired easily. We went home and enjoyed the beautiful weather and view from our terrace.
We both knew that his health was failing. We both knew that his time was ending. Just three months later, on July 18, 2018 he died. I miss him so,
…Lady are you crying? Do the tears belong to me? Did you think our time together was all gone?*
*lines from John Denver’s My Sweet Lady.