In death as in life,

With rarely any strife,

The balloons soar skyward

Twin crimson hearts

Like intertwined darts

Above the adoring horde

Freedom from pain

Ascension they gain

Heaven their reward

For a marriage long lived

Forever undivided

Their memories our award

My cheesy poem was the best I could do as I studied the picture my sister captured at Gaia and Harry's celebration of life. In their nineties, married for seventy two years, they made their jump into the stars together. A double whammy for the family they left behind.

Anita massaged my shoulders, and I leaned back into her breasts. Ever since that fateful day when I asked her out for tea the first time, we've been together. Tears rolled down my cheeks once more. It seemed my supply was endless.

"They're together. Now and always, Maura. Neither left behind after a lifetime together. You saw how it was for my grandfather when he lost his wife. I'd rather have it this way."

"I'm not sure Mike will recover. He holds things in so hard. Doug is heartbroken all over again. Alanna says they're hording their pain like it was gold in Fort Knox. She can't break it's hold on them."

"Your cousins will work it out. I'll bet they'll come home with bruises and scrapes afterward."

I turned my head up to meet my mate's turquoise blue eyes. "You're right. I know it, but I'm hurting so much. It's fresh again. It might be Samhain, and they've been gone for almost ten years, but I miss them horribly. Doug and Mike are still fighting it. Remember the story they told us about Harry coming back to them?"

"The spring break blizzard?"

"Yeah. It's the same story every year after Halloween."

"A little easier with each rite," Anita reminded me.

"And I have to remind myself, Gaia does come when we call for help. Like Harry did for my cousins."

"Keep reminding yourself." Anita continued to read over my shoulder as I typed out the rest of our family newsletter. It was my turn to put it together this month.

"I'll let you proofread this one more time, and then I'll send it out. Do I leave that poem in there?"

"You do. Cheesy or not, it says what we need to hear. Our memories are a priceless gift from an incomparable couple. I wish I had a chance to know them, but the stories your family tells, give me everything I need to know."

Anita pulled a chair over from the kitchen table and sat down at the tiny office nook counter. I put my head on her shoulder and read along.

"You've cleaned it up nicely. Samhain was wonderful. I'm glad we could gather at your Uncle Andrew's place again. Ireland isn't the same without Roark and Cardamon."

"Don't remind me."

"Sorry. Take a run with our dogs. Get into the forest, find the wolves and the black bear. Talk to the animals. It will pull you out of your funk."

I hit the send button on the email. Over fifty people on the list now. Every single member of my family was on it including all the Murphy and O'Connor cousins from Ireland.

Grateful for Anita's support, I pulled on my running shoes and realized the wind overnight stripped the last of the autumn color from the trees.

"I'll go find Luna's new pups. It will be a sad day when we lose her, too."

"Stop thinking of the end. Concentrate on the now, and making the memories that stay with us," Anita encouraged.

"Keep pushing that. I tend to forget to remember the good times this time of year."

"At your service love." Her kiss lifted my spirit.

Her heart beats steady beside my own. The Goddess's gift to truly mated souls. She was right. Memories are everything. Talk to the animals. The perfect way to make sure I stay in the present. Their voices always make me feel better.