Mitch,
From the time the kids were little, we took oodles of pictures to chronicle their lives as they were growing up way too fast. Then after my fibromyalgia hit, we took very few. After their high school graduation, only a rare photo here and there.
Now you have cancer…
I kick myself for all those photos I should have taken of the two of us just being together. Nothing fancy, just living our humble lives. This fall, I felt an urgency to take family photos when Zach was back, just in case. We all dressed up in your flannel shirts you love so much. Of course, we will have more from Lexi’s wedding in July as well. But in the meantime, I am going to have my camera ready for all the little moments that make our life so great.
You hate it when…
I take photos of you sleeping. For me, these photos are precious. It means even though you are taking a nap, you are still here with me. I can see you, touch you, and love you.
In the future we are going to look at these photos from this time period and maybe cry, but I also like to think that we are going to see how much more our love and affection for each other grew during this hellish time. It is part of our history. No going back now. Let’s own it and share it so others know that they, too, can do hard things and come out on the other side with grace, peace, love, hope, and laughter once more.
I love you with all my heart (click) –
Nicole
Photo Credit Briar Kornkven of Wildrose Photography
PS This letter was written prior to Mitch’s passing.
