The day before Thanksgiving 2007 - by Wayne

Tommorrow is the first Thanksgiving without Vivian. Many friends have called, invitations have been received, many kindnesses have been demonstrated toward me. For these I am thankful. The next three months are going to be very painful with very deep grieving. I am going to keep in rememberance that Vivian is not grieving at all, that she is experiencing the joy, all the time, that we all designed to have, had not Adam and Eve made the mistake of the ages. We will only get there through the painful portal of death, just as Vivian did February 28 this year. Practically speaking, I am going to do whatever it takes to minimize my pain this Christmas season. It probably will mean scheduling some things differently that in the past for just this Christmas season only. All the old traditions will bring forth memories, and I am not sure I can bear them. The past two days have been incredibly rough, even before the holiday itself. I take sweet joy in the assurance that Vivian no longer fights this life's battles; she had more than her share in her lifetime, and she overcame them all, and finished well. It is on this inspiration and example that I must focus, not on the pain of my grief and missing her. Dear God, help us with our daily challenges and live boldly as Vivian did, by faith, trusting you no matter what.

Wayne