Just lost my beloved Claire after 47 years of marriage.
Her death was expected so I had time for some preparation. Hospice helped by explaining that they referred to her dying as 'transitioning'. As a Christian I believe that she was transitioning in spirit. It's only been a week since she died but it feels like a month. I'm still in shock and I miss her terribly. I feel lost without her presence and I just don't know what to do with myself. I find myself talking to her but I don't know if that's healthy or if it's normal and others do it too.
I met her at a hospital where we both worked and I fell in love with her instantly. There IS such a thing as love at first sight. I met her on a Monday, took her on a date Wednesday, and she came home with me that night and never left. I would have never guessed that Wednesday night would turn into a 47 year date. Friday we went to a popular Mexican bar with live Tejano music. After a healthy dose of margaritas I asked her to marry me. She was thrilled, said yes, and we drove to Mexico to get married. Oddly enough this just happened to be on Groundhog's Day. Over time this made for a lot of jokes and weird anniversary cards. We were married by a Mexican justice of the peace in Nuevo Laredo. I don't think either Claire or I understood the proceedings because it was in Spanish. But they assured us we were now married so we drove back to Corpus Christi as husband and wife. As time went on we started a business together, bought a house, traveled, and gave birth to the most beautiful son parents could ever hope for. Life was busy, messy, often hard, and there were difficult times as with any marriage. Despite the occasional argument or disagreement we were always loyal to one another, willing to compromise, and stayed deeply in love for nearly half a century.
As we got older, illness began to take its toll. I developed cancer and Claire had a massive stroke which eventually killed her. We did our best to care for each other in sickness while rejoicing in their health. Death has parted our ways but only temporarily. Jesus has offered us eternal life where Claire and I will be reunited.