It’s the last week of year two. The third anniversary of my husband’s death is right around the corner. I’m not going to lie; it’s been a struggle. I haven’t slept well. The memories of the last two weeks of his life in ICU have replayed over and over again in my mind. Grief plays tricks on me and messes with my head. But it also reminds me to be grateful for the decades we had together and for the amazing once-in-a-lifetime love we shared.
This morning I got a much-needed text from my friends. They are traveling overseas and agreed to take Joe’s stone along for the ride. They arrived safely in Amsterdam and sent me photos of their first stop. He will be accompanying them on their adventures. If I know my husband, I’m sure his spirit has already convinced them to walk through Amsterdam’s red-light district. He was mischievous like that.
This trip was a bucket-list item for my Joe. His biological dad immigrated from Germany, and we had always planned to visit his hometown, take a Viking cruise on the Rhine River, and of course attend Oktoberfest because Joe loved his beer!
I cried when the text came through this morning. Not because I was sad, but because this is what it’s all about. Keeping my beautiful man’s memory alive. He died way too young. He had so much living left to do. So, between me and all the people who loved him, he’s traveling the world. Alec & Lauren will leave him at Oktoberfest in Munich. But for now, I look forward to seeing all the places they take him along the way.
I leave you with a song about wandering from one of Joe’s favorite bands, Metallica. We saw them live in Tulsa many years ago. It was one of the very best concerts we’d ever seen. Joe’s spirit is living out this song now thanks to so many incredible friends and family. Rover, wanderer, nomad, vagabond . . . wherever his stone is laid, he’s home.
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