THe Anniversary

Today marks one year since John Reimer’s passing.  It is unclear what should be done on the one-year anniversary of losing your loved one.  The word anniversary has always depicted images of celebration for me, yet this celebration takes on new meaning.  Our would-be anniversary of 8 years together would have taken place in July.  In these past years, we shared lots of love, family life, friends, studies of yoga, growing of the Lotus Pond, traveling, and certainly lots of laughs.  Sometimes I just laugh out loud thinking of his “dry humor” remarks. 
I have stacks of sympathy cards and they are all filled with heartfelt remarks about John. They recall him showing them something beautiful on the Lotus Pond grounds or remembering how he made them feel so welcomed at the Pond.  He was actually shy by nature and would have been so surprised to see all of these wonderful comments.  I feel sure that he has received all of this love and that his response is seen in the flourishing flower garden that was planted in his honor at the Pond.
Even considering all the pain that is endured, life never ceases to reveal the simple beauties of love and support.  John and I were like two trees with branches and roots intertwined, sharing the sunshine and nutrients, holding space for all the birds, and weathering a fair number of storms.  On this day I choose to celebrate that simplicity of love and support. I hope you’ll join me in opening your eyes to the beauty of life and it's passing, appreciating all that is physically present and all that continues to exist in our hearts.