Epilog

Writing has played a significant role in my journey. These essays just keep coming on their own. That process in itself amazes and humbles me.

It is like a journal and diary all rolled into one. This Volume 3 has overwhelmed me consistently. I will finish an essay and just break down. The emotions in my world of grief apparently now have a place to go.

Each day seems to provide stunning new revelations and undefinable yet mildly perceptible progress. Progress in the fact that the overall mood is less intense as I have written in other essays.

The trip to Buffalo, while seeming a little premature in one sense has turned out to be the catalyst to incredible pain, anguish and relief on several levels.

As the reader, my desire would be for you to share with me any particular essays that touched you. Not only that they touched you - but in what way?

I have found that in reading them - there has often been additional consolation.

And as I have separately begun to write “Joann’s Story” (which is also my story as well) these essays appear to be supplementing that effort as well as generating essays themselves.

So the journey will continue.

Words continue to be inadequate for me to express how much it means to me that you want to be on this journey with me. Your bravery and love are appreciated in ways I am unable to communicate.

Thank you for your love and continued prayers. They have brought me this far and will continue to lead me as God prepares the future He has in mind for me.

I received a card from someone special who wrote this verse inside the card - it touched me so much when I read it at the time - it says it all about my current state:

17 The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help.

    He rescues them from all their troubles.

18  The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;

    he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

19 The righteous person faces many troubles,

    but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.

Psalm 34:17-19 (NLT)