There are a few parks in my neighborhood and on this day I went to the one Bette and I loved.

A song came on the radio titled “Call Me Al” by Paul Simon. “If you’ll be my bodyguard…I can call you Betty” are lyrics in the refrain.

I needed to hear that and thanked my Bette.

I turned off the radio, shed a few tears and took a sip of coffee.

Bette communicates through song, as you know, and before leaving the park I turned on the radio and sure enough a familiar song was there but my clever girl had it sent by way of the original composer and Rachmaninoff did not write lyrics to the third movement of his 2nd Symphony. The song I’m referring to is “Never Gonna Fall In Love Again” Eric Carmen.

Over the years Bette and I listened to the symphony a number of times and I have lacked the courage to play the CD since she passed away. That third movement of the symphony is so damn beautiful, romantic and melancholy; and We loved it.

I didn’t turn off the radio; what I did do was take my composition book and pen a few words that Rachmaninoff and Bette inspired.

How many grieving men and women are alone in their car, on a bench or taking a walk in a park somewhere in the world crying their eyes out because the love of their life has passed away.

How they long for the body they can’t embrace, the hand not to be held, the eyes no longer to get lost in.

I can only pray that we who suffer and lie awake at night will continue to meet the sunrises and they will bring us closer to our immortal love and we take solace in knowing grief will give way to eternal bliss.

Love To You All