Joanna passed away four years ago today, at 1:16 a.m. on February 14, 2021.
This anniversary is the culmination of my most painful two weeks of every year, as my memory relives those last two weeks spent with Joanna in the hospital, leading up to the night I lost the love of my life. Regardless of what “they” say, time does NOT heal all wounds. Some wounds just weren’t meant to heal. Joanna’s absence from me in this life is, paradoxically, a constant presence. I miss her with every breath I take.
My consolation lies in Jesus’s promise to his disciples: “My father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:2-3, NIV) So Joanna is now in the place that Jesus prepared for her, and I’ll see her again when I see Jesus.
I also find consolation in our children and grandchildren, my/our friends, our church family, as well as continued opportunities for involvement and service.
Last July, our family held a gathering at the house, which I called “Remembering Joanna.” About 50 family and friends gathered to share memories of Joanna and what she had meant to our lives. It exceeded our expectations. I’m so thankful to all who made that day so special. Joanna would have been amazed to hear of the impact she had made on so many people’s lives . . . and that doesn’t even count the many who would have loved to be there but were unable to come, for one reason or another.
Weeks after that gathering, as I was writing thank you notes to those who attended, it struck me that I wanted to do something to thank our family for their contributions, but a card didn’t seem sufficient. So I went on the Shutterfly site and created a book of photos and memories, titled “Remembering Joanna . . . and falling in love with her all over again: a tribute by her husband Bill.”
I gave a copy to Alison & Adam, and their children, Avery, Anderson, & Aden; Travis and his daughter Scarlet; my sister Patsy; Patsy’s children Stephanie (and her husband Jim, and their children) and Michael (and his wife Barb); and took special pleasure in sending copies to Joanna’s surviving siblings, Rossana, Betty (and her husband Albert), and Hiu (and his wife Lily).
Today, on this fourth anniversary of Joanna’s passing, I’d like to share this wonderful treasure with you friends who follow my blog. It truly is a keepsake that our family will treasure through the years, though it doesn’t make up for my failure to complete the two photo book projects Joanna asked me do years ago – of our trips to Israel and Italy. I’m still kicking myself over failing to do those while she was here to enjoy them.
Though I can’t afford to buy each of you your own copy, here is your own personal tour through the book, from front cover to back cover, page by page.
I separated it into 15 categories, as you’ll see. Enjoy your “tour” through “Remembering Joanna . . . and falling in love with her all over again: a tribute by her husband Bill”:
