The 3D Glasses

I have a picture in my computer files of my son, Daniel and his then-fiancee, Michelle that they took in Disneyland a couple of years ago. It’s of them wearing yellow-framed 3D glasses from  one of the rides at the park. Its one my favorites of them and it was used in the slide show I made for Daniel’s memorial service in June 2012. Well, today is Michelle’s birthday and she is at Disneyland celebrating. We are Facebook friends and I saw that she posted a photo today of her and her new boyfriend wearing those same yellow framed 3D glasses. It hit me hard, like being punched in the belly and the tears immediately welled up in my eyes and overflowed. 
It so happened that, at the moment I ran across this photo, I was listening to an Alan Jackson song titled “Remember When” which, all by itself, can make me cry. It’s a song about a person reminiscing about the life he had with his wife. A beautiful and tender tune. In case you have not heard the song, I’ve included the lyrics here:

Remember when I was young and so were you
And time stood still and love was all we knew
You were the first, so was I
We made love and then you cried
Remember when
Remember when we vowed the vows and walked the walk
Gave our hearts, made the start, it was hard
We lived and learned, life threw curves
There was joy, there was hurt
Remember when
Remember when old ones died and new were born
And life was changed, disassembled, rearranged
We came together, fell apart
And broke each other's hearts
Remember when
Remember when the sound of little feet
Was the music we danced to week to week
Brought back the love, we found trust
Vowed we'd never give it up
Remember when
Remember when thirty seemed so old
Now lookin' back, it's just a steppin' stone
To where we are, where we've been
Said we'd do it all again
Remember when
Remember when we said when we turned gray
When the children grow up and move away
We won't be sad, we'll be glad
For all the life we've had
And we'll remember when
Remember when
Remember when

I am truly happy for Michelle and I love her dearly. I am so glad she has found someone new and I hope he will treat her good, like she deserves to be. My heart hurts for me because I want to see that picture with her and Daniel in it, like the one from a few years ago. I wanted for them to have a life such as sung about in this song. But he made the decision to leave and there is nothing that can be done to change it. And that hurts.  

Comments

John Haak said…
You may remember that I too have a Daniel born in 1984. I think they played on the same Freshmen football team at Valley and you were there taking pictures as always. Good dad to have. I can only hope and pray that sharing your memories and current thoughts is healing some of this. Since I have a "Daniel" and he is still here, I know I cannot imagine how you are feeling. But your words do make me appreciate what I have by God's Un-map-able grace.
April 29, 2014 at 2:15 PM
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