In response to The Daily Post’s weekly photo challenge: “Gone, But Not Forgotten.”
Well, this is an obvious one. After all, I am a widow. How can I forget the love of my life, my one and only husband, the father of my four children and the man who bought me my first Canon (an AE-1 for Christmas when I was 17)? I am in a wonderful relationship now with a new partner, Steve, and he’s featured in many of my posts. But Jim is my first love, the man who was beside me for 30 years, from the time I was 15. So much of my adult formation took place in those years, even though profound change has happened since. Shortly after Jim died, I became an empty-nester, I sold our home, and I stopped practicing evangelical Christianity. Gone are my ‘suburban mom’ characteristics…the van, the mortgage, the disposable income, the salaried position with a Christian company in my home town, the prayer groups and Bible studies, the daily involvement with my kids. My life is definitely different. I am much more independent and self-reliant now. But I haven’t forgotten how well loved I was, how dedicated Jim was to taking care of me. As his best friend said at his memorial service, he was a Prince of a man. And he was definitely Charming.
photo credit unknown
scillagrace 
This made me think of my mom who was a War Widow at 22 and then, seven years later, found another love. She used to say “There’s always room for another love.” I borrowed this line for my first novel. How wonderful that you have Steve and you had Jim. Truly a painful blessing.
I said something similar when I found I was pregnant with Number 2, 3, and 4….always room for another love!
Heartwarming tribute, thank you for reminding us how fragile life and happiness are. Wonderful interpretation of the challenge! ❤️
Best regards, Dina, also a widow
It’s a special challenge to hold these things…lightly and simultaneously…as you well know. Thank you.
A loving tribute to that special person who makes your life richer and more beautiful.
He still does, amazingly.
What a beautiful post, and the collage is so touching, the way it moves through your story together… just lovely.
Thank you, Laura. I arranged the photos chronologically, and it just seemed to fall into place.
That is the smile of a happy man.
Eternally happy. Even when he was ill, “I could be sick and bitter, or I could be sick and happy. I choose happy.” That’s a direct quote. Gotta love the spirit!
A beautiful tribute. I’m happy you had Jim and that you found a new love with Steve. Glad he got you that camera, too. 🙂 I am curious, though, why you would give up Christianity.
janet
Oh, Janet, that is a long story. Here’s a link to a post I did a while ago:
https://scillagrace.com/2012/02/23/whats-important/
I guess I’d say that I’ve moved through Christianity to a broader kind of spirituality. I could write more on that, and I will if you want to steer me that way. 🙂
A beautiful post.
Thank you!
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Well…sniffle, sniffle….that was just beautiful.
Aw, thanks!
This is such a wonderful tribute to Jim … Thank you for giving a glimpse of your life with this Prince of a man. In telling our stories – our joys, our struggles, our dreams – this helps in supporting one another in this critical and sometimes confusing moment of history. Truly heart felt, Priscilla. All the best to you and Steve as you move forward as part of the New Story…
Thank you, sincerely, Bruce.
A loving tribute to your Jim.
Thank you, Another Jim!
A moving tribute to Jim and a testament to life and growth.
Life finds a way… Thanks, Elena!