In our own little Paradises.

It's gonna be 4 years on Jan. 18 that my dear sweet Jeanne died. After a 13-year sojourn with Alzheimer's. And after 38 years of marriage. Indeed, Jeanne's passing was the saddest day of my life. Although living with Alzheimer's is no pleasure. But still, I had something meaningful of Jeanne left until the very end. And even today. Such wonderful memories. For a while, I thought I'd live out the rest of my life in solitude. And focused on the love I had all those years. That would have been enough. But my life has become surreal. In a pleasant way. I was thinking that last night. As I was with my Italian girlfriend in Cagliari, the capital city of Sardinia. I've gotten on with life. And maybe with a big assist from Jeanne. Because she taught me how to love and to live. Maybe she brought new love into my life. By manipulating a chance meeting from the spirit world. Wouldn't surprise me. That's the kind of woman Jeanne was. Here on Mother Earth. She wanted me to be happy. To continue being the lover. To savor every single day. To live fully. And believe me, I have. In these past 4 years, I've been to Italy twice. Initially, to Venice and Trieste and the Italian Alps. With my new love. And to Scotland. Again, with my love. And to Iceland. With my love. And yes, my love has also spent time with me in Minnesota. And now I'm spending the winter with her in Sardinia. Anyway, I have a sense that Jeanne is happy for me. And I know that I am happy for Jeanne. Living clear-headed and at peace. Amazing. We're both in our own little Paradises. --Jim Broede