I am a one-lady man because too properly care for a lady takes all the energy a gentleman can muster. Before I was wed to Gina in August 1972, I did not like the single life because I need that Christian partner for emotional, and spiritual support. Gina's commitment to the Lord was much less then mine. When Gina was sick (March 2003) I prayed for her recovery, but I knew that it would be a great, great miracle for her to recovery. The miracle is that she accepted God's unmerited gift of salvation. Shortly after that her pain was no more and I was left with half of myself ripped away and a desire, more then that, a great longing have a Christian Lady for a life partner.
Gina and I always said, "if any thing happens move on." Those are the words, but the reality is much different. I had eight months of preparing for the the out come. First step to moving on was to spread the ashes where Gina had designated. The places of the happy times of her youth and special places that were ours. The wake was held and we sent her off in the stormy night with purple balloons Since I was the only parent the sons were my next priority. John had got married so Gina would know that he was moving on. Joshua is dealing with it, still. They also comforted me. We had to clear the closets and distribute the Gina's various collections of treasures, per her instructions. The distribution continues as we find things.
Getting back to normal is not easy when you have had eight months of a different normal. I thought of all of the good and not so good things that were in my life. Sometime ago I had recognized that God was answering my prayers, but not the way I had expected. He provided much more then I asked, but not my way...His way.
I used the geek approach ti try to find a life partner, signed up for Yahoo! Personals, and wrote a very detailed profile (description) and included my photo, all 400+ lbs. My caption said it all "Christian Man looking for Christian Lady." There were few takers. I started to build a relation with a nice lady, but we were both not will to give it our all, and we grew apart. I think my James the fixer attitude got in the way.
I did some deep thinking and considered what I really wanted. I tried eharmony which gave me some insight into myself. I updated my profile and I limited my search to 15 miles, because I wanted a person who prefers country life pace over city. I started the search again on July 10, 2004. I thought that the distance may have been a factor in not being able to build the relationship. The profile was out only a short time when I got a note from Dawn on July 17, 2004. This was one of the few responses where I did not contact her first (and most of them never responded.) That day we sent five emails.
The first day she started with real probing questions and when I commented she said why waist time if we are not right for each other. I like that she was up front with what she wanted, a permanent relationship. In the beginning day we exchanged phone and address. With each call or email we were being bound together even though Dawn said she wanted a year long relationship before going further. Several probing questions and brutally truthful answers drew us closer together.
One thing was annoying and cute was she uses characters and sends text, background and cartoon characters inter mixed. I knew that when I asked for a christian lady it would be another Lutheran Church Missouri synod person (we stand and sit when it says to in the program), not! Dawn is Assembly of God. What my non-church going dad would call "Holy Rollers." I remember them for collecting us kids for Sunday services and feed us cake and cookies after. We are both very active Christians. To many of my friends Christian is Christian, but there are differences and they do matter. I began to study what they believe.
On July 25, 2004, We decided to met after Church on neutral turf at Columbia, Ca. We had ice cream then dinner, talked and walked then both headed home. I thought it was a real possibility, and she likes big guys. Sense then most of the car time is prayer time for guidance and help following God's plan. We identified the religious issue as the biggest issue. Realize I thought distance was a factor before, Dawn lives in Turlock, 125 miles from El Dorado. So much for wanting a mountain lady near me. We both believed that we are people of faith. We both had fun.
more to come later.
more to come later.
more to come later.
more to come later.
more to come later.
more to come later.
more to come later.
more to come later.
more to come later.
more to come later.
-- this is out of sequence but when I felt like writing it -- I went to Annamarie's house (Gina's Mom) for my all 60 Buchser High Reunion on Aug 22, 2004 and Dian and Sidney came with me to help Annamarie with some things. I had waited to tell her that I was dating. She took it with delight and was very happy for me. Dian encouraged me to ask Dawn to the reunion. I did and she met Annamarie afterward. It was a joyous occasion.