Tom's National Park Adventure

This is my beautiful bride. We were so young. Diane was 21 and I had just turned 22 when we started our lives together.

In the entirety of my life, I have never been witness to a grieving spouse eulogize their lost love one. I’m not sure how appropriate it is for me to do so, but I thought I would give it a shot. If I don’t like it…. You will never read these words anyway!

It never ceased to amaze me how Diane’s mere presence quite often brought up the energy level in a room. I think part of that was her smile. Diane’s smile was infectious. She always was smiling. Even in the ICU she was smiling. She always wanted to concentrate on the positive.

I have often heard the saying that one person is “the light of another persons life”. Diane was not only the main shinning light of my life but also to many others lives too.

Diane wasn’t one of those people who are overly bubbly and gushing with positivity. There is nothing wrong with that. I think our world could use more people like that currently. Diane’s positivity was more of a lead by example version. If she could find a way to use humor to help the situation out, that’s where she would go.

I’m not trying to paint a picture of a Saint. Diane wasn’t perfect. Who among us is? But she left behind a great example of how perfectly an imperfect person could lead their life.

I have almost 47 years of examples of how great she was. I’m sure those of you who knew her have examples of your own to remember too.

Diane was one of the most competitive people I have ever known. You would never know it unless you happened to be playing an otherwise fun game of Rumykube or Play 9. Diane could turn games like that into a blood sport! She would be very nice the whole time. Laughing and smiling while all the time shooting to annihilate her opponent. Most times that was me!

Diane had very defined thoughts and values. She was in my humble opinion, the best mother I have ever seen! Just ask any of her five children.

Diane was undoubtedly the strongest person I have ever known. She was diagnosed with MS over twenty years ago. She was also diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis over ten years ago. She had several bouts with skin cancer and endured several different types of procedures to rid her body of them. There were also other more personal female issues she suffered with for years. I would hazard a guess that there are many of you reading this that never knew she was going through any of it! She was extremely private about her health issues. She just refused to bring it up or talk about it. That just takes so much strength!

I could go on and on extolling her virtues. I promise I won’t.

Earlier I referred to a grieving spouse. Unfortunately that is what I have become. It’s going to take the rest of my life to come to terms with this new reality of mine. Diane’s light shown so brightly that it left is mark on many of us. I had the good fortune to be closest to that light for longer than any other person and it definitely left it’s mark on every part of my being. My biggest question is how do I make my way forward in this very dark future of mine without that light still by my side? I have been stumbling along in the dark for almost eleven months now. Many friends and family members have been so kind and gracious with their help along the way and I want to thank them so much for their help and support.

In less than a week from now, most of our family will be getting together to lay Diane’s ashes to rest in the place she wanted to spend eternity.

This whole trip has been an effort to honor her memory. I hope it would have made her proud.

Just like that children’s book you used to read to the kids at bedtime said…….Ill love you forever…….

You’re in my heart and you’re in my soul…… sleep well my love …..