May 10, 2021: Bobby Russ shared a memory
Life often will bring us different challenges. To quote the bible...
"Ecclesiastes 9:12 (NKJV) For man also does not know his time: Like fish taken in a cruel net, Like birds caught in a snare, So the sons of men are snared in an evil time, When it falls suddenly upon them."
Often we assume that we have plenty of time. We simply don't really know. I remember several conversations with Renee about what would happen when one or the other passes. It's important for people to have those conversations. They may not always be easy, but it helps understand the path they want for the future and the present.
Renee and I had talked about a bucket list. We created our shared version. Some of the things we were lucky to check off together. Some had not yet been done. Yet, I remember Renee and I talking one night. If one or the other passed, we wanted the other to keep moving forward. We promised we wouldn't forget the past, but we'd forage ahead. We knew the road wouldn't be easy given the time we've shared togehter. No matter what happens in the future, I know a part of my heart will always belong to her. She is woven into my core. I cherish that.
One of the things we loved to share is our love of water. It let to many shared experiences including the one in the picture from 4 years ago. The sun was out. The wind lightly caressing us. It was a bit bright which shows on my face. But we loved being together. We loved the water. Many times we shared time on the beach. Even with my proclivity not to like the sun too much, the water pulled us towards it. Sometimes I would sneak away to a shaded spot while she was in the sun enjoying the water. Sometimes we would both waddle in the water.
It's one of the reasons we often shared the beach with visitors. 4 years ago... There seemed like there would be no end to the water visits. We often take for granted it, but she helped me (and others) appreciate these little times. I am happy to say that I let her weave together a plan to live in the moment while my tendency to plan for the future connected together like a jigsaw puzzle.
I sit here tonight happy that I got to share that with her. I am confident that as I build a path forward, I can keep some of these moments and build upon them. As Renee would have wanted, I will try my best to move forward in life. That's what would make her smile. As new memories are formed, she will in some ways as she will always be a part of me. To the future, let's let the sun be out as each step is taken.
May 10, 2017: Renee Row
Bobby Russ and me at the beach
