Mike,
I just visited your grave today for the first time since the funeral. I’ve put it off so long because I really hadn’t fully dealt with my feelings until now that Alexis has been asking questions and wanting to visit your grave. I wanted to go the first time by myself. I’m glad I did. What a flood of reality came crashing on me at the sight of your name on a gravestone; the same name that I used to write over and over again on my book covers and notebooks. How I miss you. Every time I hear a certain Steve Miller Band or Guns N Roses song, my memory drifts to the warm summer days we spent cruising in your t-tops.

Every once in a while I have a dream about you and you’re still making me laugh in my dreams. Not only did you make me laugh, you made me feel special, as you also did others. I still have notes, flowers, and other mementos from you. You told me on Valentine’s Day that you wanted to give me a day I’d never forget and that no one would ever top and now, seven years later, no one’s come close and I know I’ll never forget it. From the rose, to the dinner, to the stuffed animal, down to playing my favorite song, everything was perfect. The clincher was the video tape you made me, documenting our relationship from the place we met and reading me a poem, and you (and your “backup singers” at the end) serenading me. I’m so glad I have that tape today and can’t wait to show Alexis.

Alexis makes me laugh like you used to. You guys would get along so well if you were still here. She looks and acts more and more like you as she gets older. I can’t help but imagine what your reaction would be if you were here to see her make the same faces & gestures you did. She’s definitely inherited your acting and entertaining abilities and I hope she inherits your knack for making people feel special.

I truly regret how we drifted apart before the accident and it’s made me realize that you never know when is going to be the last time you see someone. I know now why you did what you did - that you thought it was best for your daughter.

Mike, I want to thank you for giving me the best thing anyone ever could - Alexis. I promise I’ll bring her to see your resting place very soon. She wants to draw you a picture (Smiles:-).

Love,
Velta