4-4-08 are numbers etched in my mind forever. 4+4=8. How easy it is to remember when the numbers add up. This is the day my dear wife, Patti, so suddenly and unexpectedly died. She was caring for her mother at her home while she was recovering from surgery.
I have not seen her or spoken to her for several days prior to this day and when I found her lifeless body on that fateful Friday morning, it was a moment that changed my life forever and profoundly.
When a loved one's life abruptly ends, quite literally overnight, and you did not have the opportunity to have that one last conversation, one last moment together, one last hug or kiss, it's like suddenly plunging into the abyss and flailing away without hitting bottom. Your body forever suspended in space. It is a empty, hollow, incomplete feeling. I think only those who experienced a similar situation can comprehend the depth of this feeling.
My biggest unfulfilled wish was to have that last conversation. To say how much I loved her, what she meant to me. I would want to thank her for the great 40 years she's given me, what a wonderful and supportive spouse she was, and the absolutely splendid life we shared. She allowed me more slack than any guy deserves.
A good friend said she knew my feelings and that these words needn't be said. But not having the time nor opportunity to have our last conversation, to say at least goodbye, leaves such a gigantic void.
The year has gone by so quickly, yet it feels like I was moving in slow motion. It's been a surreal year. A year of grieving and healing. It is an understatement to say that to go on with life without one's soul mate was daunting.
If I could describe my feelings in one word, I guess it would be "endure." On the surface, I may appear to be fine and adapting to a new life alone, but just beneath the surface is a lot of sadness. As the months crawled by, the pain has lessened but I will assure you, it is still there - a feeling of melancholy that just won't go away. I discovered that a broken heart is a real feeling.
I talked to several people who have lost a loved one suddenly, just like me, and the consensus is that it will take years for the melancholy to go away. But they said that someday it will and life will return to some sense of normalcy. So with that in mind, I will continue to march on and continue to endure.
What made my life bearable this past year were my family and very special friends. There were so many people who rallied around me and given me support and encouragement that on this anniversary of her passing, I want to express my deepest appreciation and give them my thanks. These people gave me strength to deal with my grief in the best way I know how.
First my two sisters - Yuki and Emi. They loved their sister-in-law as much as I did. I could see the joy Patti brought to them every time they got together. They mentioned what a lucky dude I was to have someone so well grounded, so creative, so respectful, so loving as a mate. They didn't have to tell me. I knew that from day one. Thanks sis's for giving your kid brother all your care and support.
Many years ago, after about a year of marriage, I recall over-hearing my mom telling my dad that Patti was a pretty cool daughter-in-law and a terrific spouse for me. That she passed a mother-in-law's muster was no small accomplishment. She observed all the wonderful qualities that a wife should possess for her "favorite" son. Ha! I never did tell Patti about mom's comment since I didn't want her to get a swell head.
To my other relatives and in-laws who have also shared their love for Patti - especially Cathy, Arlene, Dian, Tod, Wendy and their spouses and families. Thanks for keeping my spirits up, sharing in the grief, and importantly, keeping me well fed now that I'm flying solo.
And to Patti's sister Maria, her mom Flora and siblings and respective families, I know this was as tough a year of adjustment as it was for me. I know in my heart that you miss your big sister very much and in your own quiet way, will be thinking of her on this day.
It is said you do not have a choice in choosing your relatives but you do pick who your friends are. . . or they pick you. There is another wise truism which says, "your character is defined by the friends you keep." If that's true, then I guess I'm one lucky joker cuz' I can't imagine having a finer group of friends than I have. You guys make me look good. Double Ha!
I can't sing enough praise for you all. Collectively, you have kept my life active, involved, and my mind in a positive frame.
Dick and Jan, Jim and Jo Ann, Peter and Susan, Eric and Marie, John and Sally, Steve and Judy, Dick and Audrey. You guys are the best and I cannot thank you enough for your friendship, love, deepest empathy and support and for all the great meals and wonderful times we shared. The fun times discussing politics over good wine and cheese are some of my most cherished moments. The only thing that would have made it better is if Patti was here to share in the yuks like old times. And Peter and Susan, a big thanks for introducing me to the calming virtues of meditation.
To my close biking and hiking buddies - Herb, Jay, Don, Frank, Dennis, Bob, Mike, Rich, Ward, Jim and Dan the Man to name just a few special guys. I so much enjoyed your good company, laughin' and scratchin' , trips and travels which kept my body moving forward and my attitude going upward and onward.
A very special thanks to my vagabond RV friends, Dawn and Jeff, who we had the good fortune of meeting in Arizona 5 years ago. Dawn and Patti became fast friends and shared many common activities including a keen interest in computers and love for the great outdoors. I look back fondly at the memory of you two intently digging for shells and precious stones on Morro Strand and mushrooming in the forests of Cambria. Our periodic rendezvous's over the years were memorable and always something special we looked forward to.
Thanks Dawn for putting the tremendous tribute to Patti on your blog and letting me cry on your shoulder via email during my darkest days. There is so much to be said about serendipity. This was one of the finest.
To my new RV friends who Patti barely got to know - Charlie and Al, Ron and Jo Anne, Ralph and Kathy. I am happy she had the opportunity to share the secrets of our favorite places to set up camp. It is regrettable that Patti will not be able to rendezvous with you in future trips and share in the cocktail hour and talk about the best places to find fish tacos. Some day I hope to regain my zest for RV'ing and meet up with you guys again.
A salute to my great next door neighbors - Barb and Bruce and my little buddy Nikki, the cutest little schnoodle (half schnauzer, half poodle) you will ever meet. Every time we left on our extended trips, Barb would maintain our house and yard in good order. In return, I would dog sit Nikki when they traveled. Nikki was my best pal and during this past year, took the place of Patti keeping me company and cuddling up next to me to watch TV. The first time after she was gone, Nikki looked in every room looking for Patti. Sadly, she had to settle for me to spoil her.
To Brooke, daughter of Dick and Jan, who lives with her marine husband, Paul, in Hawaii. Thanks for your timely shipments of Kona coffee to feed my caffeine habit. You inherited the sensitivity of your father and generosity of your mother and I know Patti was proud to see you grow up into such a responsible and beautiful young lady.
And lastly, to the extensive cast of characters who I got to know over the years and occasionally run into in and around town. Thanks for extending your warm hand and gentle pat on the back. I deeply value and appreciate the friendship we developed over the years.
Well, one door closes and another opens. Although I have a heavy heart and the memory of my loss is still vivid, I will march through the proverbial open door to see where the new path takes me. Thank you all for being there for me, for all your love and support, and for nudging me down this path.
If there was one big lesson I learned from this experience this past year is the empathy I have for other people who have lost a love one, particularly if death happened suddenly. I have the deepest empathy for their spouses and families since I know exactly how they feel and the emotions they are going through. I particular felt terrible sadness for the families of Natasha Richardson, Tim Russert, Beverly Eckhart, and the four police officers recently slain in Oakland, just to name a few. I just hope they shared a beautiful relationship and life with their spouses like I did.
I close with this story: I carried her high school graduation picture in my wallet for over 40 years. After she passed away, I took the dog-eared photo out of the plastic window to take a closer look. I flipped it over and saw what she wrote on the back more than 40 years ago. She wrote, "I love you more than you'll ever know."
Yes, my dear, I
DO know, and I'm sure you held this thought until the moment you took your last breath. And I say the same in double right back at you.
I can't thank you enough for everything you did for me and giving me a gift - the 40 best years of my life.
I sure miss you.
Love you. . . more than you'll ever know. . .
Huzzy
Happy days are here again! The winter blues are a thing of the past and I dusted off and pulled Musubi, my little rice ball tear-drop trailer out of the garage and hit the road. I joined Herb, Dick, Bob Anderson and a few other Wheelmen RV'ers at Casini Ranch RV Campground on the beautiful Russian River in Sonoma County.
Setting up camp at Casini Ranch, a quiet and picturesque campground on the lanquid Russian River near Duncan Mills.
Herb and Dick rigged up their vans to sleep in. We're all getting soft in our old age.
A stone's throw away is the beautiful Russian River
Early morning mist rising from the river
Riding on Highway 1 on the spectacular Sonoma Coast
Meeting up with the Wheelmen in Occidental for a ride on Coleman Valley Road over the coastal hills to the ocean
Big Bob descending Coleman Valley Road, a dramatic drop of 1,000', to Hwy 1 with awesome views
Photo opp time with Bob at one of the overlooks
Herb and Bob
Regrouping at Hwy 1 - Herb, Jerry, Dale and Bob
Time for lunch - hearty clam chowder at Spud Point Crab Co. in Bodega Bay
OK, suck it in!! Sandy, John, Robert and Tom.
At another one of my favorite eateries - Howard's Cafe in Occidental
Dave Storm invited all the campers to his rig for BBQ salmon dinner - Brian, BBob, Sharon, and Ray
BBob, who relocated to Temecula, makes a triumphant return visit with his new squeeze Sharon. They met on the intenet.
Cocktail time - Joe and Herb waiting for salmon dinner
After 3 grueling days riding in the mountains, we took a day off and hiked around Goat Rock State Park at the mouth of the Russian River
The yellow bush lupines were in full bloom
Looking for whales and boids on the Sonoma Coast
A remnant of rail line on the beach. Go figure?
After 5 days, we drove from the north coast to the upper Sacramento Valley and set up camp at the Sacramento River RV Resort in Anderson. Musubi has a fantastic view of the fast moving Sacramento River.
A few cycling friends from Nevada City and Sacramento set up camp and joined us for the Anderson Park Century Ride
Life is good! Lounging on the banks of the river.
Dinner before the big ride - L-R Ken Ebi, Jim Mullen (both from Nevada City), Herb, Bob Anderson (from Santa Rosa), and Peter Saucerman (from Sacramento).
