I will always remember our long conversations, Machi. We talked about your swing in France. I told you it hung from the stars... you just laughed. We even talked about love, about how lonely I felt at times, and you told me that love was warm and beautiful. Love had no time for loneliness.
You told me life had given you thorns, but rose petals had outweighed any acts of unkindness toward you. You always talked to me about your daughters. You told me you knitted blankets for them, and wrapped them up to keep them warm when they were little.
I can just see your face when you said, "I love those two." Then I asked you if you loved me... and it just brings tears to my eyes. You'd always answer, "Oh so much! I love you so much." I love you too, Machi.
When your eyes glowed, Machi, I knew you were thinking about your Dominic. I knew because your face was radiant with much happiness. You said he was the best.
I admire you, Machi. You'll always be in my heart; and people may not understand this, because we met only a short three years ago. But having you in my life twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, leaves a big void in my heart. Instead of you asking, "Where are you?" like you did at times when I was out of your sight, now it's me asking, "Where are you, Machi?"
I feel lost like the end of a story; I keep asking God, "What do I do now?" You have left a print in my life and the lives of my family.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank your family for allowing me the privilege of being with you.