The Relationship 6
The Letter
by John O'Connor
URL: http://www.area52hkh.net/asj/john/relationship06.php
Summary: A special letter is opened after the passing of a special person
A man and woman stood a little apart from their family near the gravesite.
The woman's hands were shaking as she held the envelope with the oh-so familiar handwriting:
'To Be Opened In The Event Of My Death'
"Oh God, I don't think I can do this," she said to the man next to her.
The man reached out and held her free hand reassuringly. "Sure you can."
Her hands were shaking so badly that she literally tore the envelope apart to get at the letter inside.
With eyes blurred by tears, the woman looked at the letter written in the same hand as the envelope. She knew this script intimately.
In a firm voice, she began to read the letter aloud:
My Dearest Love,
If you are reading this, then the worst has occurred. I, of course, don't know how I died or when, but I hope I was brave.
"Oh you were," the woman whispered.
There is so much I could say to you now. I hope I can accurately express how I feel about you. I love you with all my heart and all my soul.
There. How was that?
Even before we were honest with each other about our feelings, you were always in my thoughts. When we finally admitted our love for each other, you were always in my dreams as well.
In case you couldn't tell, your mere touch was enough to send a wonderful shock through me. I have come to crave simply holding your hand. When we kiss, it's almost indescribable.
Until I met you, I never would have thought I could love another woman. Now, I can't live without you. Nor would I want to.
You are special in so many ways. You're a caring, compassionate woman. A strong, loyal soldier. A loving mother. A priceless, one-of-a-kind lover. My life partner.
Now I need you to be the strong soldier. Cassie needs that too. I know you're in pain, probably the worst pain you ever felt. I know I would be devastated if I lost you. But you must be brave, my love. Be the strong, courageous woman I fell in love with.
I want you to know that my love for you will be as strong as it is now long after I die. Our love will last for an eternity, until after the last star fades.
We will be together again. I will wait for you on the other side.
All my love,
Janet
The woman dropped her head and sobbed. Her tears dripped on the yellowed paper she clutched in her hand.
"God, Daniel, she loved..."
Daniel reached for his wife and pulled her to him to look in her tear-streaked face.
"Cassie, your mother and Sam had a special bond. And they're together now." He looked into her eyes, "They had almost fifty years together. That's more than most people have."
"Daniel, I miss her so much. The kids too," Cassie said, swallowing hard.
"Honey, when Sam died last year, part of Janet did too. She hung on for you and for our kids and the grandkids. But you know she never felt complete without Sam." Daniel took off his glasses and massaged the bridge of his nose, "She is happy now. She's with her love."
Cassandra Jackson nodded and took her husband's hand as they stood looking at the dual headstone:
| Samantha Carter-Fraiser | Janet Fraiser-Carter |
| Major General | Brig. General |
| USAF retired | USAF retired |
| 1967-2048 | 1969-2049 |
| Beloved Wife | Beloved Wife |
| Beloved Mother | Beloved Mother |
Cassie and Daniel slowly walked back to their children and their children's children.
Daniel kissed Cass' hand and smiled at her, "'...until after the last star fades.'"
The End
