See ya soon Buddy!

Last week, I had the privilege of being among a host of family and friends, saying good-bye to our beloved Gene Moore. I was with his precious Gina when he contacted her, after many years apart, and asked her to lunch. I was on the phone with her a short time after he proposed in picturesque Nigera Falls. I planned a fall wedding for the lovebirds, because, as Gina tells everyone, I am her personal event planner. I spent birthdays, holidays, and many special moments with them and I was with her as she said goodbye to her one true love.

As we planned the funeral, I felt so honored because I was present for so many of their memories and milestones and could recall their love story, from the first "remember me" email to the last goodbye in that cold hospital room, as if it were my own. I was also reminded that eventually, the moment of goodbye will come to us all. Hopefully, when our journey on this earth ends, we will have spent many decades together but if not, I pray that I filled my short time on earth as well as Gene and Gina. No adventure was too big or small for them. No question of love or loyalty and no expired romance. They never hit the snooze button on their dreams, and they never took one another for granted. Their last texts were filled with a playful banter, overflowing with love for one another.

In his short 49 years, Gene amassed an enormous group of friends and every single one had a Gene and Gina story. Their love transcends time and measure and certainly death. They devoted every waking moment to making the other one happy and writing their story, and I'm so happy I was included in a few chapters of their book. I won't say goodbye Buddy, I will say see you soon, and just so you know, I expect a "Gene" hug when my new journey starts.