Passing an Imporant Date

Last evening (Dec 21) I recalled what I was doing 43 years earlier. Ann and I got married in the Palos Park Presbyterian Church. Being close to Christmas the church was decorated with green boughs, red ribbons, candles aglow in all the windows. A scent of pine filled the sanctuary. The music was Bach richly played; even a Bach-like treatment of traditional Christmas Carols. Two hundred and fifty guests filled the church well on this evening of dreams and happiness. The reception was a wonderful full dinner served by the ladies of the church in Fellowship Hall. Mingling of guests was constant and animated. A festive mood was present. Outdoors a soft snow was falling that would eventually blanket the community in a fresh coat of white in celebration of Christmas.

After the ceremony we headed off in the snow toward New England and a mini reunion with my parents and brother and his family in time for Christmas. The entire trip was dreamlike and a winter wonderland of snow. Driving conditions were another topic entirely!

Forty-three years have passed. Our marriage lasted nearly 26 years. Then the reality of my being gay could no longer be suppressed without doing further damage to both of us.

We have each gone to new futures with new partners/spouses. Ann and Howard are well on their way to a long marriage (17 years+), and Rocky and I have been together 12 years+. Writing that one sentence embraces a world of change, very personal and intimate for each of us. A very difficult journey of exploration and fulfillment. But journeys which are ending happily. Rewarding. Purposeful in the end.

Without meaning to cause any further hurt to anyone, I remember this 43^rd anniversary fondly and respectfully. And still with love.

December 22, 2011