MY DARLING, MRS. ANN ALBERTIE HURST

​TODAY IS ANN'S 77TH BIRTHDAY.
She earned her Heavenly Rest 6 years ago, on September 5, 2016. When I give that time frame, the reaction is usually, "It does not seem as if it has been that long." My reply is usually, "Yes, it does!" That is the reality of losing a mate. No one can internalize for you what the loss means, how it affects the family, and significantly how it affects YOU. Grieving is personal; my grieving is personal, and you grieve by yourself. No one can tell you how to feel and how you should feel. How someone else feels when they lose a spouse or a loved one, is not an example for them to know how you feel. I miss Ann every day. Yet, life goes on, and you make the necessary adjustments, rough at times, but you make the adjustments.

Nothing helps get me over some of my "rough spots" like music. Listening to Ann and my favorite songs and reminiscing is LOVE'S way of keeping you connected with a Loved One. Not necessarily dwelling in the past, but as your memories wander, as my memories wander, music helps me remember how much the good memories outweigh my loss. Remembering too the words of Bishop Rudolph McKissick Sr. who said to me, "Rodney , grieve as you want to grieve, and it the midst of your grieving thank God for the more than 52 years he gave you and Ann together." I do, Bishop, and I am thankful for your words 6 years ago.

This is another of Ann and my many favorite songs. This one is by Jerry Butler. It is entitled, "Thanks to You."
"You changed my life
And my way of living
And all of my life
I will be giving
Thanks to you
For being true
And loving me
Just loving me
As I love you.
You took my heart
And you possess my soul
In you, I find warmth
When so-called friends turn cold
Forevermore
When things get tough
We'll have each other
And I believe
I really do believe
That's enough.
Thanks To You."
Happy Heavenly Birthday, My Darling Ann. I Miss You.

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