.Stories.

Have you ever walked through a cemetery? I, of course, have....but not with as much curiosity as just this last Friday. My longest best friend came for the weekend....and she had never seen Chris' spot so, of course, I took her to his beautiful place beneath the large tree that now sheltered his body from the storms and the snow. We began to walk....checking dates, doing the math in our heads, wondering about these people's lives and stories, and in turn, wondering if there are people just like us that walk by Chris' and my stone and wonder those very same things. Maybe. 

This is what I would tell them......that he was loved. So often people have told me of the many things and reasons Chris was taken so early but what I think people forget is that Chris, too, was touched by all of us...and loved unconditionally. I've had many tell me about his "purpose" in my life...but perhaps I, too, had purpose for him...perhaps my love was part of his very beautiful life. I would tell them he was happy....so full of life. He loved with his whole heart and was the best man you'd ever meet. I'd tell them he was funny....so funny. I'd talk about his love for his sports teams and how he'd turn into the biggest grouch when they lost....I would dread Packer Sundays if they lost. I'd invite them to sit under the comfort of this very large tree and listen to his story while I reminisced about his life. It really doesn't feel this long.....sometimes I still feel like this is the longest game of hide and seek we've ever played. Of course, I wouldn't have to tell anyone that. 

Then, we would walk away....and I would think about those people every now and again for the rest of my life....and they might think of me.....but they would always think of Chris...because, well, I'm sure they would be back to walk through the cemetery again and he's not going anywhere. It amazes me how some things will always stay with you. Some lives, some people....because we all have a story. 

Often I would walk past those headstones just on my way to get to Chris......and now, I have a much different view. It has made me so conscious of how short and precious life is....how sacred love is....and that we never know when the time will be....I certainly don't want my end date on our stone just yet....so it's time to make the best of the moments we've got....because my story certainly isn't done being written yet.