August 24: Bobby Russ
First off, I want to take a moment to thank everyone who has taken the time to chat with me since the tragedy happened. It helps to talk. Me and Renee used to talk all the time off and on. During breaks, lunches, or even just when we needed to vent. She was my world and I was hers. I've heard things from various people who have reached out. Just like the fact that I knew people who I never met just from Renee talking to me about them. Later I would hear many people tell me that she talked of me quite often. I never doubted her love for me over the years, but sometimes you forget how much you mean to someone. This memory that I am going to share isn't so much mine of her, but one that someone shared with me after her passing.
When me and Renee met, we were both struggling with difficult times. Renee always had a social network and at one point, mine was much better too. Time and my own issues made my shrink while her's grew. Some people I have had the honor of being able to talk/meet through her. She was always great at social connections, but she struggled in other areas. In these memories, you can hear my love towards her, but this memory highlights the love she had towards me. She told her friend that I saved her. They had agreed that the stained glass story was accurate what what had happened to them.
What is the stained glass story? I had never heard of it before, but her friend shared the story with me.
Have you ever seem true stained glass made?
It's not painted
Broken pieces of colored glass are gathered. Often those left from other projects.
The pieces alone aren't beautiful to most. But to a loving eye, to an artist they become something more.
Because the artist sees potential
The broken pieces are then taken and put back together. Not as they were before, but in a new shape, telling a new and beautiful story. Each piece lovingly placed by a hand with an eye that sees beyond what that piece is, in that moment, to what it can be.
Compiled and arranged bordered by hardened pieces that protect then the soft sides of the glass meet to form their most beautiful work yet. A piece of stained glass.
This is so true. She was a very beautiful work of art to me. When I found her, she was drifting trying to find someone who would be passionate like her, someone who would have her back through good and bad times, and someone who would love her and help her. I was lucky to get over a decade with her. January 17th, 2010 was the start of something amazing that I will never forget. Thank you Renee for your love, your time, and helping make so many dreams come true... and thank you to her friend for telling me this and reminding me that Renee needed me like crops need water. We had a bond and something that will last forever if only in spirit.