I haven't come up with a title for this one yet. Would love to have suggestions regarding the title. Here goes-
Every wedding anniversary they'd celebrated for the past nineteen years was simple, but special. Tenth October, David and Karen would have dinner with their three kids, Amy, Bruce and Kathy and sometimes the grandparents would come over too. After everyone was asleep, the two of them would settle on the couch with a huge album of photographs from the time they started dating in high school. It had pictures of various occasions, their dates, their wedding, holidays together, and photos of every wedding anniversary that followed.
This time it was different because Karen was no more. It was just David and the kids. After they retired for the night, David reclined on the couch with the album. A wave of sadness swept over him as he wished Karen was there. After months of battling cervical cancer, she'd died on 23rd of December, the previous year. As he went through the album, a folded piece of paper caught his eye. It was Karen's diary entry for the 10th of October the previous year. It read~
'Today is our 19th wedding anniversary. I'm so proud to be married to you David Carter. I'll never forget the day I was diagnosed with cervical cancer. We were waiting in the lobby. I was so scared. Scared because if the report showed that I did have cancer, I won’t have much time left with you and the kids. The mere thought of it devastated me! But then you took my hand and I'll never forget what you said to me that day. "I love you Karen and I'll be with you every step of the way. Every situation you face, I'm gonna be right there."
It was so reassuring. As we sat across Dr.Wickens, his grim expression was all I needed, to know it was bad news. When he confirmed my fears, my heart sank, and tears filled my eyes. All along you had been holding my hand. I smiled as I turned to you. I could smile through tears because God had given me you to face this with.
Today on our wedding anniversary, you came by the hospital in the morning. You got me a gift. A CD that's got a collection of all my favourite songs. How thoughtful of you! I'll have the nurse play them as often as she can. You had to reach Kathy to school and promised to be back with the kids as soon as possible. You left, not before letting me know how much you love me. You tell me that I'm beautiful every single day, even though I'm pale and weak and I've lost all my hair. I probably look ghastly!
As promised, you arrived early with the kids and though it was just an hour we were allowed together, it was special. When Amy took the younger two home, we got to the album as usual. I asked you to leave it by the bedside table for me and to take it home in the morning. That's how I got to slip this day's diary entry into it. I'm not sure about how long I'll live but I know that next year, on the 10th of October, you will see this album and find this in it.
David, I love you and I always will. I'm so grateful to God for the wonderful years He has given me with you. You have been my best friend, my love, my strength and the best husband a woman could ask for. I hope Amy and Kathy find life partners like you. And Bruce is growing more and more like you each day. I'm thankful for these three beautiful children I've had with you, each one, a sign of our love. Thank you for being with me through this ordeal. Your love, support and sacrifice helped me endure it. Thank you for everything. You’re not alone. I know that God and the love we had and the love of our three wonderful children will help you endure. May God bless you and enrich your life with faith, hope and love.
Ever yours,
Karen.
As he finished reading it, the sadness was replaced by a feeling of peace.
"Daddy?" it was Kathy, his youngest who was twelve.
"Hey honey, what's the matter?"
"I just thought we could talk for a while." she said joining him."I miss Mommy."
"I do too, a lot." he said.
"You know why Mommy was so peaceful when she left us? Cause she knew you're a terrific dad so she didn't have to worry."
He smiled. "I see her in Amy, Bruce and you everyday. The three of you have got so many of her characteristics!"
They shared happy memories of her for a while until Kathy fell asleep leaning against him. His gaze fell upon their wedding photograph framed on the wall, Karen looking incredibly beautiful in her flowing white dress and the sparkle in her blue eyes that was so infectious, so hard to miss. Even in ill health, that sparkle was there. He looked fondly at his sleeping daughter. Thank you for giving me three angels. Each one, a sign of our love.
