"Happy" (?) Anniversary, Nick - I Love You
Dear Nick, Where ever you are, it was are 23rd wedding anniversary today. The very first anniversary we ever had we spent apart. You were in England finishing up a work project and I was in Idaho managing one of the Regional State offices. I remember you had red roses delivered to my office and then we talked on the phone for about an hour. Now,once again, we are spending our anniversary apart. There is a huge difference, however, we can't talk on the phone for an hour. Also, this is just the first of many that I will now always spend without you.
Colleen & Kay were a huge help today. I told them last week our anniversary was coming up & that I could use their help in making it through the day. Colleen suggested that the 3 of us should celebrate it in some manner. We decided that spending the day at the Eastern Idaho State Fair should work. Because you & I always went to the fair each year (not for the anniversary but just because we liked it) I felt that was a really good idea. To do this both of them had to arrange for time off from their jobs. They are pretty special friends to do that. We all had a great time. We looked at lots of things, ate a ton of food and bought stuff that would have curled your hair. I bought me a black fedora hat and 4 different styles & colors of flowers to put on the side of it. Once I added my sunglasses I looked like a Mafia member. (a stylish one, of course)
So, the day passed in a pleasant sort of way. I thought about you a lot. I did not eat any of the wonderful Aberdeen fish you & I always shared. Maybe next year. Wasn't it last year right at this time your brother Geoff & Dominique were here visiting us? I think we took them to the fair or was it a different time they were here? Last year at this time seems like an entire different life time ago. And, I guess it is.
Last year at this time we were having a good time with Geoff & Dom, hiking at Capital Reef, visiting Goblin National Monument and then visiting Moab for some red rock country hiking & great beer drinking at Eddie McStiffs. Little did any of us know that would be the very last trip you & I ever would take together or that you would never see your brother again. I am so happy we were able to share some wonderful hikes, go to outstanding places and spend time with your family. I treasure these times we had. My heart, soul and mind just cannot get around the fact that we will never hike a trail together again or enjoy our wine, cheese & crackers during our hike. My entire being fills with such hopeless sadness that I truly cannot bear to think of this very often.
I won't dwell on sadness tonight. If you were still here we may have gone to the fair when you got off work or perhaps we would havejust gone out for dinner & then to Marcellers for drinks. We would also be making preparations for our annual anniversary trip to Jackson Hole for the Studio Walk, Mangleson's Reception (yes, as a collector you received your special invite again!), and the Taste of Jackson & Art Fair. This year it is being held on the 10th of September. That is the real anniverary celebration you & I made a tradition of sharing with each other. I truly miss doing that special time with you this year or ever againl
On this special day, I just hope you do know that I love you and have been terribly in love with you ever since you told e that silly alligator joke! Little did you know that your sense of humor and not a romantic attitude was going to get you married. I miss not being able to share puns with you or tell you silly jokes or hear jokes and little funnies that you have heard around your work. I miss not being able to bring you your first cup of coffee every morning or have you read me a bed time story before we went to sleep.
Well, your cat, Lady Jackson, is trying to lay on the key board. I guess I need to hold her for a while. She misses you, Nick. So do I.
Where ever you are, "Happy" Anniversary Nick. I love you
Darlene Sept 8, 2011
Colleen & Kay were a huge help today. I told them last week our anniversary was coming up & that I could use their help in making it through the day. Colleen suggested that the 3 of us should celebrate it in some manner. We decided that spending the day at the Eastern Idaho State Fair should work. Because you & I always went to the fair each year (not for the anniversary but just because we liked it) I felt that was a really good idea. To do this both of them had to arrange for time off from their jobs. They are pretty special friends to do that. We all had a great time. We looked at lots of things, ate a ton of food and bought stuff that would have curled your hair. I bought me a black fedora hat and 4 different styles & colors of flowers to put on the side of it. Once I added my sunglasses I looked like a Mafia member. (a stylish one, of course)
So, the day passed in a pleasant sort of way. I thought about you a lot. I did not eat any of the wonderful Aberdeen fish you & I always shared. Maybe next year. Wasn't it last year right at this time your brother Geoff & Dominique were here visiting us? I think we took them to the fair or was it a different time they were here? Last year at this time seems like an entire different life time ago. And, I guess it is.
Last year at this time we were having a good time with Geoff & Dom, hiking at Capital Reef, visiting Goblin National Monument and then visiting Moab for some red rock country hiking & great beer drinking at Eddie McStiffs. Little did any of us know that would be the very last trip you & I ever would take together or that you would never see your brother again. I am so happy we were able to share some wonderful hikes, go to outstanding places and spend time with your family. I treasure these times we had. My heart, soul and mind just cannot get around the fact that we will never hike a trail together again or enjoy our wine, cheese & crackers during our hike. My entire being fills with such hopeless sadness that I truly cannot bear to think of this very often.
I won't dwell on sadness tonight. If you were still here we may have gone to the fair when you got off work or perhaps we would havejust gone out for dinner & then to Marcellers for drinks. We would also be making preparations for our annual anniversary trip to Jackson Hole for the Studio Walk, Mangleson's Reception (yes, as a collector you received your special invite again!), and the Taste of Jackson & Art Fair. This year it is being held on the 10th of September. That is the real anniverary celebration you & I made a tradition of sharing with each other. I truly miss doing that special time with you this year or ever againl
On this special day, I just hope you do know that I love you and have been terribly in love with you ever since you told e that silly alligator joke! Little did you know that your sense of humor and not a romantic attitude was going to get you married. I miss not being able to share puns with you or tell you silly jokes or hear jokes and little funnies that you have heard around your work. I miss not being able to bring you your first cup of coffee every morning or have you read me a bed time story before we went to sleep.
Well, your cat, Lady Jackson, is trying to lay on the key board. I guess I need to hold her for a while. She misses you, Nick. So do I.
Where ever you are, "Happy" Anniversary Nick. I love you
Darlene Sept 8, 2011
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