The Silver Anniversary: One Date – Two Meanings

I was not going to write a 25th Anniversary post, but then I found out a little piece of information that caused me to change my mind.

25 years ago today Joe and I looked like this:

Young and in love.

Then 14 3/4 years later my heart was shattered when he moved to heaven.

His passing does not change the fact that today is the anniversary of our wedding. It does change how it will be celebrated.

There will be no big shindig at our house or a fancy schmanchy party center. Instead, I will go to Dairy Queen and have a Blizzard. Joe loved Dairy Queen ice cream cakes and since it is just me, there is no need for a cake.

While today is a quiet, bittersweet celebration of a joyous event for me, for my new friend and fellow blogger Joni, today is just bitter.

Six years ago Joni and her husband were in a car crash that took his life and left her a single parent.

One day, two completely different meanings for two different women.

So in honor of Joe and me marrying 25 years ago, please:

• Visit Joni’s blog and leave her an encouraging comment.
• Bow your head and say a prayer for Joni and her family.
• Go to Dairy Queen, order a Blizzard or other ice cream treat.

Thank you and God bless you.

Bio: Michele Kearns is the founder and HUG© (Hope Unites Globally) Award-Winner of JoyReturns. She shares her widowhood adventures hoping to encourage widows to move through grief and rebuild their lives. A graduate of Kent State University with a Bachelor’s degree in communications, she’s used those skills while managing call center teams, facilitating a grief support group and helping small businesses with various writing and administrative assignments. Michele is a bookworm, lover of chocolate, red roses and golden retrievers and is an amateur photographer.