Musings on the Death of My Perfect Partner

Fresh from Birch Creek

John A Bayerl

John A Bayerl
Location
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
Birthday
May 30
Bio
My wife of 47+ years died at home with me at her side, on November 12, 2010. She and I, together with our children and many friends and relatives, fought her cancer for four years, seven months and a week. This blog acknowledges her courage and exemplary life. She taught us how to live, and she taught us how to die. The blog also honors the love she shared with everyone who knew her.I am a retired school counselor and college professor.

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FEBRUARY 13, 2012 2:33PM

DAY AFTER DAY

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Life was so much simpler
we loved
we lived
we laughed
repeat the formula
day after blessed day.

Life is complicated now
we has become me
love is gone, not lost
life is—livable
laughter is rare
there doesn’t seem to be
a formula to repeat

only day after day.

John A. Bayerl, February 9, 2012

This morning, as I waited for my annual checkup with my cardiologist, I thought of asking him about how losing the love of my life affected my heart.  No need to ask, really, I know what it did to my heart in more ways than one.  


It was fun reminiscing with my friend Mary at lunch today.  Others who knew Gwen remember things about her that I overlooked or didn't see.  Mary often pushed Gwen's wheelchair to the car after a meeting.  During that time Mary got the once over about her love life. All done in that low, conspiratorial  voice of course.  Or, the time we all went to Chili's and Gwen so enjoyed that margarita.  Precious times. It's time like that when it's still hard to believe that she is gone. Denial isn't necessary always a bad thing.

Tomorrow is St. Valentine's Day.  A poem came to me in the doctor's waiting room this morning.  It will be ready to be released tomorrow.  That's how it is with me and poems; they are never finished, I get to the point where I'm comfortable abandoning them.

Walking past the displays of valentine cards in the stores, seeing and hearing ads for flowers and candy and gifts all remind me of how it was with you, Dear, a special day to say out loud what we lived every day.  Then later in the evening. . .








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Don't make it more difficult than it is for you, John. Listen to music you loved together, look at your happy photos, you'll be with each other in spirit as you seem to be always. You won't be alone, tomorrow will be another day.
Thanks for the encouraging words, FunsunA. BTW, I'm still somewhat haunted by your post yesterday.
I think that what you are going through is "normal" grieving, but if depression gets out of hand don't hesitate to get professional help. depression is treatable!
Thanks, Patrick, I appreciate your concern. Be assured that, being a professional counselor myself, I have sought and used all the help I can get to make it through this. To come out of it stronger on the other side, as Gwen wants me to do, I know that I have to honestly and openly deal with things.
I guess you're finding out that love is like poetry. Hard to turn loose and never finished.
aka, you nailed it exactly--that's just how it is.
I eagerly await your love poem to Gwen, I know it will be as beautiful as everything you write.
rated with love and empathy