A Memories Tour

The daily mail contains many ads and pleas for donations. Before Kathy died after a
way too short 12 married years, she'd get the mail, scrap the junk, and pass along the
good stuff. Now it was left to me.

Today's good stuff was one letter. The return address was Kathy's. Collapsed into a
chair before opening it. Written on her favorite blue paper in familiar handwriting,
asking me to visit a list of places, with reminders of why each was important. No way I
could resist.

First, the theater where we had our first date, a blind date, arranged by her best friend
Carol. Didn't care what the movie was. I was busy sneaking looks at Kathy.

More stops and reminders followed.

The Homecoming Prom; Kathy and Carol "maids in waiting" to the Queen.

Days at the beach, Kathy and I, along with Carol and different guys. The girls starting
out in proper one piece suits for their moms, changing to bikinis in the bathhouse at the
beach.

Our wedding chapel. Carol as Kathy's maid of honor. Caught the bouquet; never
cashed it.

Skiing off a triple chair lift, Kathy, Carol, and I.

A house warming party for our first, hosted by Carol.

More followed, but just a couple during Kathy's last 18 months. Aggressive cancers
don't leave many good memories. The ones we had were given to us by our best
friend.

The last entry confused me. No memory of being there with Kathy, but the list had
brought back so much, that I had to go. A hike along the shore to a high spot with a
bench to look out on the water.

Carol was sitting on the bench, holding up the list Kathy had sent her.

We smiled, realizing what Kathy wanted.