About a man ... someone I knew ... a tribute

Four days after being admitted to hospital for the last time 9 years ago, from his 22 month  battle with prostate cancer, the man was ready to die; he said he was, he said he wanted to, he said he was tired of trying to live, he said he was tired of hurting. He said he couldn't understand why his God whom he loved with all his heart and all his soul wouldn't take him home. The man's big strong heart kept pumping and refused to let him die, and there was not a switch to flip, or a tube to pull, or a knob to turn to end the man's hurting. It was whispered to the man that it was OK to let go, to not hold on any longer and it was then that he whispered to his wife, his beloved "I am ready, but there is no room for me yet". These were his last coherent words, said with calm and certainty. He continued to breathe for another 12 days. Then the man finally died in the arms of his beloved.  The man had said he was not afraid to die, he just did not want to leave his beloved.    
The man and his beloved had a story - a love story,  and it lasted twenty years.

So the man's beloved honours the anniversary of his passing by writing something each year and carefully places the writing in its special place. Some things the man's beloved will share, others she does not. The man's beloved is very fortunate and blessed as those who love her, let her be how she must be at any time, but in particular on September 16 each year.  She will go about her daily business on this day and pause, and gently close her eyes and remember - she will remember their love story; and the hard and difficult  times, and the happy and good times and then fiercely she will hold all of it tightly to her, lest the memories ever fade, ever dim, even the tiniest little bit.

I will go now and bring in all of the dogs bedding - it is wash day.

 I won't forget to empty the vacuum cleaner, or put the rugs back down or start dinner. 

I will return to the present and embrace and celebrate - life.  My new but different life.  My life.

But just for one more indulgent time I will gently close my eyes .... and remember,  all over again.

Goodnight sweetheart - goodnight.