Hi Guys,
Thank you all again for the encouragement, great thoughts and prayers.
I don’t have good days and bad days - it’s more like good times of the day and bad times of the day. I can be working along and then a thought or memory pops into my head and WHAM! The worst times are when I stumble across scents that remind me of her. She loved magnolias and there are two huge ones in front of my work building. I used to pluck a bloom off and take it home for her to enjoy. Just one will fill the whole house.
I shared with you some of the things I taught her but I haven’t told you what she taught me: The most important thing in life is loyalty to family and to friends. If Patty ever told you she would do something for you, rest assured it_would_be_done. Period. If you needed her she would be there no matter the personal sacrifice.
The next thing she taught me was to never hold a grudge for any reason. We didn’t argue but did have differences of opinions. Once we each said our piece as the other listened, it was done - right then and there. Never to be brought up again.
She showed me that life was just too short to worry over things that don’t matter. You really can’t change another person anyway so why try? You just gotta accept them for who they are and remember why you love them.
Tell the truth. Yes, it can hurt sometimes but the freedom it gives you is enormous.
Don’t harbor guilt, as it’s too self-destructive. If you follow the guidelines above you won’t have any guilt.
In the five years we were together she never once opened a car door if I was there. I made her laugh every day, usually at my expense, and always treated her with respect and dignity. We weren’t perfect by any means but I have no regrets or doubts she knew she was loved and appreciated. This has given me the most comfort of all.
You guys are GREAT!
Jeff
