Self-Evident Truths

I'm been ensconced in jury duty all week, little sweetheart. I was telling you a little while ago how it was bringing up such strong memories because the last time I was called, I had to come all the way back from NorCal and your side to be here and serve. I think, fingers crossed, now into Day Three, we may be excused by afternoon’s end.

One of the things that you have to do, of course, is write down your occupation and then, if asked questions in voir dire, elaborate. I haven’t gotten that far yet but it has made me wonder how I might answer. What kind of a writer am I, they might ask. Without delving into more-information-than-needed territory, how can I truly answer that? And I mean truly. Because nothing is true without you. Nothing is true in my life unless you are at its center, unless it - whatever endeavor set out upon - is led by your shining spirit.

I might say that I once wrote primarily for the theatre, but why even begin with that? I think it best, if asked, to say that I’ve been a writer and composer all my adult life and that five years ago I lost the love of my life, my partner and soulmate. That she, that you, passed away after a tragic accident and that ever since, I’ve been writing and composing works of music and narrative of, for and about you, released and published with proceeds marked for the memorial fund in your name at the University of Minnesota’s Medical Foundation. That the works are meant to be performed in quiet, beautiful, sometimes sacred spaces. That, formerly a writer of primarily theatre works, this was now my vocation and calling - to dedicate my life and work to her, to you, my late-girlfriend, Summer, the incandescent, generous, miracle who filled my life with light and love and the faith that she is safely in the care of The Divine, where I will one day join her, soon and forever.

I guess that’s a bit of a mouthful. I suppose one of the attorneys might cry out “objection!” or the judge gavel me out of order, but it’s the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, my little sweetheart. Perhaps even, I hope, a quite self-evident one. You are my light and life. Any other description of who I “am” is - to use the legal term - irrelevant.

At my best, and may I always strive to be just that, my devotion is to you. In all things. We hold these truths to be self-evident. Love you forever.