Thursday, March 17, 2011

Jennifer's Fifth


(please click on image to enlarge)



Yes, it's been 5 years.

Time has flown by. Junior our baby is now a teenager (well, not in age). I am a forty-something person living through mid-life crisis (yes, the Porsche is on the way). I am in a committed relationship with a young (well, not-so-young) but definitely hot chick.

One thing though remains.

We continue to carry Jennifer in our hearts. Not in a burdensome way. Not that we have not let go. Not that we are un-accepting of her passing. But more as an inspiration. As a swift kick in the a$$ when we need to get things done (she was always the champion of getting things done).

Five years is a milestone. For me it is as if I have internalized the best parts of our time together and allow that to eclipse the pain of the loss.

Sure, there are moments when we get emotional. Like last weekend when we visited her final resting place in Penang. The tears flowed but this time the pain was absent.

Five years. Often times the worst five of my life, but also the five most amazing in anyone's lifetime.

The ad above appears in today's edition of The Star. If Jennifer were here she would totally be into Bruno Mars (she was always very current with her music). I wanted to share more pictures of Jennifer and was inspired to do it in a filmstrip. Then I played around and the "V" came naturally. For the sharper ones amongst us, "V" is the Roman numeral for 5 -- aha.

For Jennifer's friends who saw the ad and landed here, please leave a comment. If you did not know her, please spend some time here and on her blog. Jennifer was such a remarkable person -- until now I continue to get anecdotes and really wonderful memories of how she touched so many people from those who knew her.

So love, happy fifth birthday in heaven -- I'm sure they have Bruno Mars playing on some mystical CD up there too... enjoy.

We love you then, we love you now, you will remain forever in the hearts of your two Michaels.

Requiescat In Pace Et Lux Perpetua Luceat Ei

6 comments:

wmw said...

Yes, five years on...we still remember, not so much for the fact that she's in heaven, but more of the fact of the ways she touched our lives.

Anna said...

She lit up an otherwise boring conversation, she bubbled with energy, she laughed unreservedly. Jennifer, you rocked here and I'm sure you having a rockin' time there too!
http://annatham.blogspot.com/2011/03/friend-indeed.html

Eugene said...

Jennifer you're missed for who you were, how you added a certain "joie de vivre" in to life, and how you were the conduit to bring the best out of two Michaels, one Anna, one June, one Eugene and a whole host of other people that you came to connect with.
I'm sure heaven is a much more happening place with you there.

xes said...

Got to this website through your ad on The Star. I'm sorry for your loss. Thanks for having this blog reminding us to cherish the ones we love while we still can.

Jojo said...

Hey Mike, only met Jennifer once at Modestos Hartamas and she seems like a fantastic person from all your memories. Love and peace to everyone in your family.

Unknown said...

Hi Michael, I know you to be one of the most outspoken but also sensitive persons. That's what I love about you. You share your good and sad thoughts freely. I did not know Jennifer, but the way you have always spoken about her, with respect and love in your eyes, is clear proof to me that your relationship was beautiful. I am very glad to hear the tone of your comments developing, and the evidence of your slow but certain recovery. God bless you always.