Richard Stevens

My dear Richard, You once wrote, "If love comes, I will love you fiercely." We met five years ago in October, our favorite month. Our first real date was in the Jemez. We laughed at the Los Ojos Bar because we were both wearing the cologne Obsession, a foreshadow of the romance born that day. We explored the Gilman Tunnels and the Jemez Graveyard. We hiked along the River of the Floating Rocks. We split a taco salad at The Range in Bernalillo on the way home. Love did come, and we loved fiercely--with passion, caring, and so much more! Even though at times we were apart (neither one of us was always easy to get along with), in our hearts we were never apart. We always returned to each other. We had to be together. My true home was your home with you, Bailey Rae, your yellow flowers that reminded you of your mother; the doves, rabbits, and the spiders in your front yard. Many mornings we spent drinking coffee on the patio in the backyard while Bailey sunned herself on the lounge chaise. We took long walks in the Bosque with her. All the meals you cooked kept us in the kitchen often with music, dancing, and giving snacks to Bailey. The three of us often spent nights sleeping on the floor in front of the fire place. In our conversations you frequently talked about Kelsey, Trevor, Carlene, and Tracy. So much love, Richard! So much love! The suffering is in the separation. So very incomplete without you, I will miss you for the rest of my life more than words could ever say. However, without a doubt with God's tender wisdom, I know we will touch each other again. You were, are, and will always be the love of my life, in this life and the next. Always, Judy