Gone
Not to get all depressing on you, but I need to tell you something.
At 11:49 p.m. on Monday, July 5, 2010, my wife of 25 years — and my relationship partner of 29 years — departed this life after a lengthy, hard-fought battle with metastatic breast cancer and a progressive, degenerative liver disease the doctors were never able to fully diagnose.
She passed from this world holding my hand, before taking the hand of One greater and stronger than I, who welcomed her into the next.
KJ (as I’ve always referred to her in this space) was 44.
I will write much more about KJ, and our life together, in the days and weeks to come. But right now, my emotions are summarized by the words of this song, written by Tristan Bishop and recorded by one of KJ’s and my favorite a cappella groups, the House Jacks:
Explore posts in the same categories: Breast Cancer Awareness, Dead People Got No Reason to Live, My Home Town, Soundtrack of My Life, SwanStuffAnd now you’re gone
Somehow you’re gone
You were my midnight
You were my dawn
You were the shoulder that my life leaned on
You were my world
You were my song
You’re everything I could depend on
And now all you are is
Gone
SwanShadow Thinks Out Loud 
July 6, 2010 at 11:57 am
I am so very sorry for your loss. I’ll keep you in my prayers and if you need anything, just ask.
July 6, 2010 at 12:10 pm
My heart and prayers go out to you and your daughter, Michael. MK and I are heartbroken for you as well.
July 6, 2010 at 1:34 pm
My heart is breaking and I’m full of sorrow for your loss, as well as the loss that KM is feeling. We’re separated by the great expanse of this continent; but just one tiny click away. Anything you need, you’ve got it. Give yourself a hug, one to KM and get one back from her.
July 6, 2010 at 3:52 pm
I’m so sorry.
July 6, 2010 at 6:23 pm
It hurts me to know that you’re hurting. The past few weeks I’ve watched you in class, and you have been so brave in the face of what came. I admire you for that. If there’s anything you need, let me know.
Your friend, David.
July 8, 2010 at 6:58 am
My heart goes out to you, Michael. My sincerest condolences.
July 9, 2010 at 1:37 pm
Michael,
I’m so very sorry for your loss. You and your daughter will be in our thoughts and prayers. Michael
July 9, 2010 at 6:54 pm
I’m so sorry.
July 11, 2010 at 7:59 am
We never met but I stumbled across your blog one day and I kept coming back. I kept returning because I always learned something from your writings but also because I was so touched by the way you lovingly you spoke of your wife. I’m sorry for your loss.
July 11, 2010 at 3:22 pm
Michael,
What solace there is in friendship, we are here for you.
Eugene
August 4, 2010 at 11:57 am
So sorry to hear about your tragic loss. My prayers go out to you and your daughter.
Dan
August 10, 2010 at 1:50 pm
[…] SwanShadow Thinks Out Loud Pop cultural musings from a mercurial mind: writer, speaker, actor, mad genius. « Gone […]