Sorry I've been absent, my husband Chuck had that stroke on March 23rd and I've been helping him with therapy and rehab. Also we are moving from North Fort Myers FL, to New Brighton, PA (to be closer to family) and let me tell ya, between his shoulder surgery on March 13th, stroke March 23rd and my double hernia it is a challenge!!! We are actually selling everything that won't fit in our Mustang convertible and Mitsubishi Outlander. Anyways... I'm done babbling, I missed ya'll and am going to somehow try to catch up on all this amazing poetry that everyone has written!! I'm also gonna try to get back to writing, I miss it so much!

There is no evidence, they said, of a stroke— not on CT, not on MRI. But I have eyes. All I know is his movements are slower now— more intentional, like the turning of large pages in a heavy book. When he speaks, concentration his dearest friend. His words— methodical, measured. Like thick honey dripping from the comb. And I— I find myself watching his lips like a silent prayer, as he strives to shape a word, his mouth a frantic, holy O— pulling a heavy anchor from the sea. And still— I find them sexy. Maybe… even more than before. Because now each word costs him something, and that— that makes them worth everything.

Loving a widower is not for the faint of heart, for your relationship, a ghost will ever be apart. But embracing her is important and necessary, because he didn't ask her to leave it's quite the contrary. They were still quite in love when God took her away and he still questions why though he loves you today. Let him talk about her tell you what he loved, because you would appreciate it if you were the one above. Don't make him feel ashamed for missing a woman now gone, I promise you respecting her memory will only strengthen your bond. He won't fall in love with you as fast as you have with him but holding him in the hard times will repair him Within. Let him cry, let him talk, let him tell you how they met, and always have a tissue ready when his rugged cheeks are wet. No, loving a widower is not for the faint of heart but I promise if you love him through it, it'll strengthen your start. Dedicated to: My Darling Chuck Andrews

I have no words— like a book flipping, revealing plain white pages. I feel so full, as if I would burst, like an old wineskin— patched, worn. But the tears refuse to come. I am exhausted. Every step so heavy, so rigorous. I just want my life back. My husband— well, and home. Where’s my happily ever after? Father, I’m still here— holding what’s left of my heart in open hands. Because I know You have a plan… and I trust You.

My day of lace was perfect February 2nd 49 days of bliss followed Nothing was gonna ruin it We were solid Solid Solid as a rock Sure he had shoulder surgery Big deal A bump in the road Back to business as usual Yeah, he slept more But he was healing We had our reception on March 22nd What a day Such joy Such fun Such love Then March 23rd The day I’ll never ever forget We were at our favorite diner He ran outside He got sick Hadn’t touched his food His speech— it changed His leg— was weak We rushed to the ER A TIA, they say “Do you still love me like this?” My husband asked fear in his eyes I married your heart Not your voice For better or worse In sickness and in health I love you You’re still the best husband ever