mdlbear | River: Colleen: Three Years Later (Reply)

Colleen died three years ago today, after a long battle with Crohn's Disease and recurring drug-resistant infections. I went through most of the day not thinking about her. (Although I grabbed a tray of sushi at the grocery store across the street, without consciously realizing why. Sushi restaurants were among our favorite places to eat out.)

If I were at home I'd raise a glass of single malt in her honor. I may do it in one of the Callahans incarnations; then again, I probably won't. Instead, I'm having a cup of green tea, looking at the vase of dried flowers on the little table in my hotel room, and thinking how much she would have liked it here. Remembering all the cups of tea we shared in Japanese, Chinese, and Indian restaurants all up and down the West Coast.

If I had a guitar here I'd be singing her favorite song, "Lily, Rosemary, and the Jack of Hearts", and my favorite song about her, "Eyes Like the Morning", and wondering whether I'd get through the last verse without crying.

I'm not doing too badly, all things considered. Just a little down, and (for unrelated reasons) nine timezones out of my comfort zone.

Goodnight, Love. Sleep well. I will always love you.