Aaaahhhh!

It's roughly eight o'clock in the morning. I'm on my honeymoon so it doesn't really matter what time it is. N. is still asleep and I'm happily ensconced in a rocking chair on the lower deck of our cabin. The lower deck still perches me in among the surrounding treetops and the view is spectacular. The rising sun is pleasantly warming my face and the weather is absolutely perfect. I have a book and a cup of tea to my right and a dog curled up on my left. Before me miles of trees just beginning to take on their autumn colors cover the foothills and in the distance the fog obscured Mount LeConte towers above them.

Occasionally the sounds of my beautiful bride sleeping drift out to me from inside. I'm not sure what I've done to deserve this bliss, but I'm now wise enough to know to never take it for granted. N. and I were married Saturday in a perfect ceremony in an idyllic setting surrounded by some of the most special people on the planet: family, dill weeds, lepers (sic), and widow(er)s. I can't even begin to thank each and everyone of them enough for their part in making that day so very special and perfect in every way.

Being as how they're probably the only ones who might stumble across these ramblings anyway, I'd like to especially thank N's widow friends for the immeasurable impact they've had on my wife's life. They are a group that knows how cherish life and support those they love unconditionally. I doubt any of them fully realize how important they are in her life. N. is truly blessed to have you and I am honored to call you friends.

N. is now up and it's time to start our day. Being the eternal Jimmy Buffett fan, there was no way I could resist the opportunity to, “...go hiking on Tuesday...” With N. I'd walk anywhere.

Signed,
A very grateful husband