Today, I remember my friend AndyS . . .

[CaliforniaPeggy]

Why today? I don't actually know. He left us 10 months ago today. Two more months till the year comes around.

Maybe grief doesn't need a reason. I still love him; I still miss him. But somehow, things are a bit easier. The sorrowful river inside me is still there, but now it's moving more gently, with less pain. The tears still come, but less often. I can talk about him without breaking down, most of the time.

This photo is in his memory . . .

[SheltieLover]

1. I was so saddned to hear of his passing.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. Thank you, dear SheltieLover . . . Your words touch my heart.

[MiHale]

3. Tears and breaths of grieving...

are gentle memories there to soothe us.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. Yes. Yes. Thank you, my dear MiHale.

[hlthe2b]

4. I still think I will wander into the photography group and see his posts. I am so sorry we've lost him..

and especially for all who were most close to him, CaliforniaPeggy. His passing caught most of us totally ill prepared.

He is missed.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

6. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, my dear hlthe2b . . .

Even though I knew he'd been ill, his death caught me by surprise. So sudden! Ill prepared is right.

[sanatanadharma]

7. Bette Midler knew ...

"Some say, Love. It is a river
That drowns the tender reed"
...
"I say, Love. It is a flower
And you its only seed"
...
"the seed that with the sun's love
In the spring becomes the rose"

[CaliforniaPeggy]

8. She certainly did know!

And I want to tell you that Andy loved that song! It had great meaning for him. Once, we were listening to it together, and he was overcome with emotion. Every verse touched him.

Thank you!

[Diamond_Dog]

9. What a beautiful tribute, Peggy.

He is sadly missed by so many.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

10. Thank you, my dear Diamond_Dog . . .

It’s easy to write about him. So many memories!

[Erda]

11. What a beautiful tribute to your dear friend.

May time heal your pain. May your memories of him bring you joy. May your sadness reveal to you how deeply you love and miss him. And, miraculously, he will know.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

12. Thank you, my dear Erda . . .

I hope for all those ideas too. But the last one? He didn't believe in the afterlife. He was quite clear on that topic. I've always hoped that we would see our loved ones again, after death, but I really don't know.

I'm envious of those with this belief but I've never felt it. Still, I thank you for your heartfelt words. They truly comfort me.