One year ago today our family and friends gathered to honor my sweet husband Billy who passed away unexpectedly on Nov 3, 2019. From the moment we started planning his service I knew I would want to speak at the service. Billy spent so much of his time talking I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate his life than to simply talk about him. I’ve often enjoyed public speaking anyway and it was a perfect way for me to honor him.
For those who would like to take a walk backwards in time with me, or for those who couldn’t make the service, here’s my eulogy to my wonderful husband:
“Forever wouldn’t have been enough time. Billy was an amazing man and I feel incredibly honored to have known him and shared so much of my life with him. He was thoughtful and caring and often would think of other people and how he could help those around him. There are so many people who’ve been affected by Billy – whether it’s something he build for them, or repaired, or helped in someone’s time of need – he was a lifesaver and a rock to so many of us. I feel incredibly blessed to have met Billy when I was just 16 years old and was able to spend so many wonderful years full of adventures with him. I often thought I was so lucky to find my soulmate when I was just 16 years old. And now I know how truly lucky I was – because we were only given so much time and I must say, it was an incredible 20 years. Billy taught me so much about love, life, strength, and positivity. Watching him go through cancer and treatment – twice – he remained positive and never let it take him down. He was often smiling and cheerful throughout his treatments and looking forward into the future. He will be missed very deeply. And I will carry his love and strength with me for all time. I will feel him in the breeze, hear his chattering in the wind, and I will see him in the birds and frogs and toads. Until we meet again.”
I miss him more now than I did a year ago, and I didn’t even think that was possible. I couldn’t have imagined something worse than the initial shock and pain of his sudden loss, but there is. It’s the dull ache that the initial sting morphs into with time, and the lonely feeling that accompanies it combined with the realization that this heart-wrenching ache will never go away. 💔
Because so many of you have taken time over the last year to reach out to me and also my Dad, Steve Root here on IDO, I wanted to once again thank you all for your support and comfort. So many of you have sent private messages, cards, flowers, chocolates, and the overwhelming replies on both my initial post and PailofPerch’s sweet post on the one year anniversary of Billy’s passing have brought such a comfort to my shattered world and I can’t thank you all enough. And many of you continue to reach out with messages of support and “checking in” and I truly appreciate that. I hadn’t realized how many of you guys remind me of Billy actually and that has often brought a smile to my face. Thank you. 🤗🧡
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