A date with Jeanne

[LongTomH]

June 30 was the 2nd anniversary of the death of my sweetheart and lover, Mary Jeanne Brady: 1943 - 2006. We were never married (which I regret now!), and never lived together; but, Jeanne was and always will be the great love of my life.

Jeanne,

Sunday, I went to take flowers to your grave. I also put up a little spinner and banner that you would have liked.

Then I took a walk through that little park we loved to walk in, either with your grandkids or alone. And you were there. Summer was your season, love. I saw the rocks where the kids played, jumping from rock to rock, and the bench where we sat.

I remember...........

I remember your touch, and holding you in the night.

I remember dancing with you, holding you tight, whether it was at a parish dance or charity ball, or in your kitchen. I even remember the song that time; it was Donovan's Jennifer Juniper on CD.

I remember all the music we loved and shared, whether it was live or on CD. All the Jazz in the Woods concerts, the little clubs, the summer outdoor concerts. You taught me to love jazz and blues. And you listened to music I loved, my Donovan, Moody Blues and Celtic.

I remember sharing books and movies. I remember watching "A Beautiful Mind" with you. You were so moved you had to sit on a bench in the lobby and discuss it afterwards.

I remember so many discussions; especially after Sept 11, 2001. You talked about your discussions with the Peace and Justice person at the Archdiocese, who expressed a hope that we wouldn't react with violence. I wish America had listened to people like you and the Good Sister.

So many special moments: A peaceful afternoon in the Botanic Garden where I wrote you a poem. Seeing you posing at the foot of the statue of your patron: Saint Joan. A sand castle on a beach in California and our shadows on the sand. Riding those little streetcars in New Orleans.

Thank you for sharing, my love. Thank you for sharing those times with your wonderful family, and your friends. I really need to get back in touch; I didn't mean to let so much time go by.

Thank you for taking the time to get to get to know my friends, even my crazy friends in SF fandom.

I remember your wonderful Mardi Gras and Lundi Gras parties, with your friends and mine.

I'm going to have to finish this tonight!

[auntAgonist]

1. What a beautiful remembrance of your beloved Jeanne.

Thank you for sharing this with us. I'm sorry for your loss. I can see that your memories are a comfort to you even now.

:hug:

aA
kesha

[LongTomH]

2. Thank You!

There is so much I still want to share about Jeanne and our time together!

Like all the ways she tried to share my interests. I remember the nights parked on country roads, waiting for meteor showers. There was that one special time, where we brought the grandkids and set up my telescope on a remote country road. I remember little Kayla asking her grandmother: "Is he some kind of scientist?" Jeanne got a kick out of that.
We even got some company and some bright lights. Some small-town cops showed up to see if we were running a tail-gate party.

I remember another time, when Will - this was during his "Terrible Twos" - threw a nuclear tantrum at a public swimming pool. The next day, Jeanne and I traded emails about the incident. I made the comment that, at the time, I was sure: "If you shaved his head, you'd find 666 in glowing red numbers on his scalp." Jeanne actually got a laugh out of that and shared it with her co-workers at the Archdiocese of Kansas City, KS.

Jeanne worked for the Catholic Church and was a devout child of the Church who believed very strongly in her churches teachings on social justice. She loved me, despite the fact that I'm a self-described agnostic, though definitely not an atheist. I even attended church with her and found comfort in it. By the way, I am still evolving in my beliefs, although I still put a big question mark on most of the cosmic questions.

She had a wonderful sense of humor. There was the time we replaced her stereo. We asked a young salesperson to help us find one that included a turntable, along with tape and CD players - Jeanne had a great collection of jazz and big band music on vinyl. There young man was rather taken aback with that: "a turntable?" Well, different generations. When we were leaving Jeanne turned to me and grinned: "We could really have played with that kid's head if we'd asked him for an 8-track player!"

When her house was being rebuilt after a fire, the construction crew put a porta-potty out fornt. The neighbors didn't appreciate that at all. For the holidays, Jeanne put a Christmas wreath on the door. I don't know if the neighbors appreciated that.

I'm rambling here, there's so much I want to talk about. Jeanne was never as political as I am; but in 2004, she accompanied me to hear John Kerry and John Edwards speak. She waited hours with me, on a chilly night before they arrived.

Thanks again for your comments, and a hug in return. :hug:

[auntAgonist]

3. Please, please ramble on ..

your thoughts and memories are wonderful and a wonderful testimony to a great relationship. I LOVE the vision of the porta potty! What a great sense of humour this love of yours had.

Do write some more, and save it in bookmarks or your journal here at DU. You'll be glad you did.


:hug:

kesha

[yellerpup]

4. You have honored Jeanne's memory very sweetly.

I wish you peace in your time of bereavement and compassion in your time of lonliness. She is sure to appreciate the flowers. :hug:

[RevCheesehead]

5. Jeanne sounds like a truly wonderful person.

She was lucky to have had you in her life. The way you share your memories of her tell much about your special relationship. Thank you for posting them for all of us to share.