Six Years

I spent a lot of last night in the Emergency Room.

As a hospital chaplain.

There were many Level II traumas, sometimes two at a time, and the staff was hopping.

Around 3:45 as I was dragging myself towards the elevator, hoping to get a few hours of sleep, it dawned on me: It was the Friday of Memorial Day Weekend. And I was in the Emergency Room. Again.

Six years ago, on the Friday of Memorial Day Weekend, I was in the Emergency Room, too. This time as a worried wife of a man experiencing a heart attack.

So I turned away from the elevator and went back to the triage area. I told them of my realization. And I thanked them for saving my husband's life.

A blog friend is celebrating her wedding anniversary today. That made me think that Joe and I are also celebrating an anniversary. We've had a wonderful married life of 47 years. But these last six have been something special. We had a reminder that nothing lasts for ever, not even us. And we spend more time together, go out separately less, and thoroughly enjoy the quiet times with each other.

I know that this weekend we are remembering those we lost, and that is as it should be. But it's also okay to remember one we didn't lose. And be thankful to those who made that true.