Act 2

I'm learning to navigate act 2 of my life

it's quite a learning curve

I don't have to tell you that

starting from scratch is quite a challenge

the burden is lighter when two can carry it

and we shared every burden

the things I was better at...  I handled

but she excelled at so many things

that I didn't know how much she carried

until she was gone

she was much more than my wife

the list is too long to convey

I will name but a few

our connection was so strong

that I could tell when she entered the room

I didn't have to look up

she was the one who would nudge me

and make it look like a playful tease

and whisper a name when someone approached

that we hadn't seen in a while

and not only that

but she remembered their spouse

and the names of their kids

and sometimes their dog...

she would weave these into the conversation so seamlessly

that people would think I remembered them too

but I usually didn't.. not at that level

and no one was the wiser all these years

but they are now

she was the one who could communicate with me with a glance

and say so much that words weren't needed

she was the one who knew me

much better than I knew myself

and believed in me anyway

and told me so

she never tried to change me

I could do no wrong with her

that knowledge was empowering

that certain confidence

that someone would always be there

until they are not

but I never thought about that

ever

instead I trusted in a few certain truths

her

my faith

my family

and the belief that bad things don't happen to good people...

living my life with blinders on...  being naive

works very well until it's tested