I spend way more time on Facebook than I should, but there are rewards. Today there was a long list of Facebook posts I had made, from previous years. 

This was the last post on the list, from thirteen years ago.

“May 2, 2010: Today Bill planted four tomato seedlings. Emma and I went swimming, even though it was 64 degrees.” 

Bill was in the garden, planting tomatoes. The tumors were growing in his abdomen. He knew he was dying, and that it was very likely he would not see those tomatoes bear fruit. Nor would he eat any of it. But he believed in the future and the goodness of home-grown tomatoes. The cancer slowed him down, but it did not stop him from living. Bill knew he was fortunate, that not everyone could keep going.

Eleven weeks later on July 14, 2010, Bill died, in our bedroom, surrounded by family, held by love. 

And in late summer, I harvested the tomatoes that he had planted.

May 2, 2023