Since I missed the chance on her fiftieth birthday, I had planned that I was going to organise a party to celebrate her sixtieth. I was going to insist that she not get involved in the organising (a near-impossibility!), but that she should let our children and me see to all the arrangements as our gift to her; to show our gratitude for her presence in our lives.
I was going to arrange for a musician to attend, who—at some point in the evening—would accompany me as I sang the following beautiful song to her. It was written in 1936, but its beauty hasn’t faded.
I’ll walk beside you through the world today,
While dreams and songs and flowers bless your way.
I’ll look into your eyes, and hold your hand;
I’ll walk beside you through the golden land.
I’ll walk beside you through the world tonight,
Beneath the starry skies, ablaze with light:
And in your heart love’s tender words I’ll hide;
I’ll walk beside you through the eventide.
I’ll walk beside you through the passing years,
Through days of cloud and sunshine, joy and tears:
And when the Great Call comes—the sunset gleams,
I’ll walk beside you to the Land of Dreams.
Edward Frederick Lockton (words) & Alan Robert Murray (music)
But, ’twas not to be…
On 5th October 2011, she didn’t even know it was her fifty-seventh birthday. All she knew was that we loved her. Perhaps that was all she needed to know.
Two weeks later she died.
Linny, although you are no longer here, I celebrate the day that you were born and I’m grateful for the time we had together. Thank you for thirty-three wonderful years of marriage. Thank you for always believing in me, no matter how much I messed up. Thank you for our three amazing children, each of whom bears the undeniable stamp of your influence. My only regret is that we didn’t have more time to spend together.
I ache for the day when we are united once more, in the “Land of Dreams”.
Listen to the song, sung by John McCormack.