Today is the anniversary of Patrick's death. It's hard to believe that ten years has passed since he died.

I have heard it said that acknowledging the day he died is like celebrating his death. That could not be farther than the truth. How could I celebrate the loss of someone that I loved so much? Someone who was a part of me? I am not celebrating his death...I am celebrating his life. I am celebrating our life together and our wonderful family. I am celebrating the fact that he lives on through his beautiful granddaughter.

Of course I am sad. I miss the future that we had planned that will never be. I miss his loving touch and his wonderful laugh. But I did not die that day. I still have a wonderful life ahead of me and I plan to enjoy every minute of it. It would be an insult to Patrick and our love for me to stop living my life to the fullest. If his death has done anything, it has taught us to not take this day and this life for granted. To cherish every minute we get and to enjoy it to the fullest.

That is what Missy and I have planned for today. We are going to enjoy the day. First we are taking off early from work. That in itself is a special treat. Then we are going to give blood. Missy decided the best way to celebrate life is to give life and I couldn't agree more. Then we will grab a wonderful little girl and take her to the lake to visit her grandfather.

So today we will remember Patrick. His love and his life. We will cherish our wonderful memories of him. We will celebrate life.