This picture was taken 3 months after the onset of an exceedingly difficult journey for Jessica; emergency brain surgery which saved her life, multiple full brain radiation treatments, maybe 30 or so nights of hospital sleepovers, at least half a dozen ER visits, traumatic weight loss, multiple infections, numerous outpatient procedures, additional surgeries, severe panic attacks, moment to moment pain management, dramatic weight gain due to the heavy dose of steroids, an immeasurable emotional and mental toll, continued grief over the loss of her father, an insane amount of daily medications, side effects from all of the medications, the loss of a lifestyle she loved so very much, physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy and so much more…but I cannot recall this tribulation entirely as I’ve buried evidence of its existence.
Yes, this picture was taken 3 months after All. Of. This. This beautiful black haired Adonis was without her lustrous mane here, she is actually wearing a wig. Jess had the most perfectly shaped head I have ever seen, we joked about its perfection while ignoring the massive crater left over from the brain surgery. The reason I’m sharing this particular picture on what would have been her 35th birthday is not merely because of how strikingly ethereal she looks here, but because of what I see within her eyes after years…and more specifically, a three month period of unimaginable trials…I see unwavering faith…I see genuine joy…and I see true love.
As many husbands due on the day of their wife’s birthday, I wanted to share a little bit about who Jessica was and what she did which made her so special. I could go on for days sharing all of the wonderful, loving and inspirational attributes displayed by my wife with unlimited exaggerated tales to emphasize my beliefs. I could even share some not so amazing attributes just to tease her a bit…even though mine are far worse. I’d rather let this picture speak for itself. Happy Birthday my beloved.
PS. I planted a tree in the cemetery here in Minori in her honor. I have never witnessed a more spectacular cemetery ever before. #truelove (at Minori, Italy)
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