I have taken some measure of comfort sharing with you my heartache in the wake of my darling bride’s passing from brain cancer.
A member of my family, though, asked whether I would like to share some positive memories of Kathy Anne. He thought it would do me some good as I grapple with the grief that has shattered my heart and soul. So … I will do so.
We met in January 1971 in college. I had returned from two years in the Army the previous summer and re-enrolled in college to pursue studies in journalism. Then, it happened.
I was sitting in the student union one afternoon when I saw this girl across the way, playing pool with some friends. My very first thought when I saw her? Dang, I have to meet this girl.
As luck and fate would have it, we found ourselves sitting at a table a day or two later with a mutual acquaintance. He was carrying on about his work as a zookeeper or some work like that. This girl and I began winking and smirking at each other across the table as this dude kept spouting nonsense.
Well, he left the table. We sat there by ourselves. We started chatting and I mentioned to her that I would like to see her again. She agreed.
Fate intervened yet again the next day when her car battery croaked in the parking lot. She needed a ride home. I gave it to her. The next day I jump-started her car for her. Then, at some point later that hour, I leaned over to kiss her.
Ah, yes. The kiss. It was one for the ages!
The rest, as they say, is history. We dated for six months. I proposed marriage that summer as I slipped a ring on her finger. We got married in September 1971 and commenced our extraordinary life together for the next 51 years.
I want to share this story as my proof of what I have preached ever since, which is that men should not look for the girl of their dreams; she will just show up. It happened to me … and I believe it happened to her, as well.
That memory is etched forever in my heart.