I was so proud of my wife when she added her name to the organ donor registry.

It made me a little queasy thinking about parts of her roaming freely outside of her body.

Still, I applauded her altruism.

After she filed the paperwork, I didn't give it further thought.

I assumed she would outlive me, and that I'd never have to contemplate the subject again.

But life never works out how we expect.

The year that followed the accident was extraordinarily difficult.

I wouldn't wish they experienced all my worst enemy.

Belled through all the stages of grief, I felt extreme degrees of emotion that I didn't

realize existed.

I went through therapy, I did my best to reassemble a life built for two.

I tried to recreate our little rituals, visit our favorite restaurants, watch our cherished

movies, cry to our special songs.

I had spent hours sitting alone at our special spot.

Grassy Hill that provided a spectacular view of an entire valley.

We used to watch the sunset here.

Hold hands like smitten lovers.

The month went by.

I persevered, I grieved.

I healed.

I dreaded the one year anniversary of her death while I knew it was going to be difficult.

The events of that night exceeded my expectations.

...