Member-only story
Dear Ben / The Life We Had
3–11–2025
Dear Ben,
I was going through photos on Google, culling duplicates and poor shots. I started in 2012 and stopped at Thanksgiving in November 2016, when we spent two nights in New Smyrna Beach. It was too difficult to see those photos; they will wait until another day. Revisiting the memories of our old life was overwhelming and exhausting.
As a child, I dreamt of a home filled with people — some staying, some coming and going. Dinners, parties, celebrations, and a life filled with family and friends. My childhood and first marriage were not like that, but I had that life with you, especially when Daughter and Grandchildren lived with us. Our home was overflowing with love and activity. Yes, sometimes stressful, but those years were my dream realized.
I also dreamt of having a life partner who wanted to do the things I wanted to do. Mostly, you and I had the same interests, but when you were indifferent to an activity I chose, you went along with me, patient despite your disinterest. And sometimes, to your surprise, you enjoyed yourself!
Concerts, plays, foreign films, festivals, museums, dinners at eclectic restaurants, travels to Mount Dora, St. Augustine, and Manhattan. We did so much together.
What a fun and interesting life we had!
