Happy Anniversary baby, got you on my mind . . .

Today would have been Bob's and my 16th wedding anniversary . . . got the sweetest text message from Bob's sister, Nancy, today: Hi there. Not sure how to acknowledge this day, other than to say that 16 years ago Bob was the happiest man on the planet. Love you, chica!

To which I replied: I'd say the same about me, 16 years ago. . . and if I had known how it would have all played out, I'd still have done it, all over again . . .

For days leading up to today, I contemplated sequestering myself in the house on this milestone of milestones. . . but, at the suggestion of several people, including myself (odd, I know, but I talk to myself a lot these days, surprise, surprise . . .), I felt the desire to honor and celebrate the life I had with Bob, instead of hiding from it, hard as it felt it would be. I do have the choice to be the victim or not, on this journey . . . not always an easy decision, and sometimes victim wins out, but today, not the case. . .

Ended up being a lovely evening—threat of rain held off for the duration, a great "turn out" of friends and family, an abundance of good grub overflowed the tables, good company shared by all . . . warmed my heart, through and through, to be entwined (if not a bit taken aback—sorry, a defense mechanism . . . ) enveloped and elevated, from the friends and family representing . . . I wish I could have invited everyone I know (and don't know), who have been with us, on this long journey, and I hope that the grace of modern technology, we will all make good on the promise of keeping in contact at least via e-mail . . .

Happy Anniversary, my dear Bobby . . . thank you for all you have given me in our far-too-short-journey together. . . a lifetime of wisdom, an eternity of love. . . life is an emergency—you knew it . . .

xxoo, Jen