Living in a small town
This is the webpage M. Douglas Wray does want you to see.
Category Archives: Marilyn
Amazing Grace
A classic. Everyone should know this song.
Remember when it rained
Music is so powerful. It crashes through any barrier we put up.
Thirst
Many people say their mate ‘made them bloom’ – my dear wife Marilyn was much more ambitious. The vines of her work run throughout my life now.
To Marilyn: March 2, 2010
A letter to my lost wife near the first anniversary of her death. Life goes on but the reminders of the past remain.
Marilyn Loves Margs
Updating this post to honor National Margarita Day and my lost wife Marilyn. Miss you Didi.
Rocky’s 95
Rocky Mountain National Park celebrated it’s 95th anniversary today. Marilyn and I loved the Park. I still do. Here’s some photos from her memorial event there
Unseen Homeland
This is from Marilyn’s friend Kris via her friend Karen and thence her friend Paula to me. I confess I have been remiss in posting this. Each time I looked at the pictures the pain came back – so I filed the message away ‘for another day.’ That day has come, it’s time to say
Marilyn’s first email to me
I have every single email Marilyn ever sent me. I went back to the very beginning and found this. Sigh. She was 100% honest and right out front – start to finish. I still miss her and I always will. Miss you Didibear… Hi. I am not sure what to write… so here goes. I
God, Thou Art Love
If I forget, Yet God remembers! If these hands of mine Cease from their clinging, yet the hands divine Hold me so firmly that I cannot fall; And if sometimes I am too tired to call For Him to help me, then He reads the prayer Unspoken in my heart, and lifts my care. I
Steel
Today would have been our 11th anniversary. Missing you terribly today wife.
Rising Trail
Up from the Canyon of Death I climb, legs weary and burning I pause at a vantage point and look back Only darkness lies below clouds and fog shroud the trail my lungs burn from the effort of such a terrible climb I sit for a moment in a quiet place remembering shuddering in horror
Written in Sand
From our last vacation. Half Moon Bay in California. Marilyn was as happy as a little girl. She wrote that in the sand with her finger and was literally chortling with glee. My homage to my beloved wife, written on the same beach. Taken by my friend DJ as I scattered some of Marilyn’s ashes.
Lighthouses
One of the sights DJ and Martha took me to see was Pigeon Point Lighthouse. WOW. Reviewing my photos so far I was struck by this shot most of all. (More of this location here) This has been an incredibly stormy period in my life and were it not for the ‘lighthouses’ manned by my
Dear Dad
I refer you to this post. Now that you and my beloved wife have all the time in the universe to get acquainted, I hope the two of you can see how much I cared for you both. Both of you taught me lessons about courage and honesty – and how they’re inextricably linked. You
San Fran – Day 4
Another whirlwind day with DJ as wheelman. This time his wife Martha came along, trooper that she is. Eight hours and 266 photos later we crash-landed at their house in Fremont. Martha made us a lovely dinner of meatloaf and twice-baked taters. Oh my. Here’s the evidence, errr photos! (via Flickr) My favorite shot of
SF Day Three
Started off with Grace Cathedral Walked the Labyrinth – what a wonderful experience that is. I highly recommend it. Then it was off to the Golden Gate – all fogged in but we still managed to get some good shots – especially from the Marin Headlands. Then we went to the Sea Mammal Rescue Center
All Is One
This post is dedicated to Diana Forest, who keeps reminding me that we’re all part of the same thing. ‘Drops in the ocean’ I saw this storefront and immediately thought of you. All is one. Burn brightly my loved ones. I’m off to another day of sightseeing and fun. Pictures from day 1 are loaded
San Fran Day 1 Photos
At last! (wireless here is just terrible in my room) Here’s the first batch of images! There are a lot of duplicates and many need rotated to vertical as well as captioning. Work, work, work! I’m here to PLAY! Note – all these images are royalty-free, use them any way you like.
Green Tortoise – Day 2
Another fine night, slept like a stone. The room’s incredibly quiet. Sitting in the ballroom (I’d still call it a refectory, but that’s just me) enjoying a couple of toasted bagels with marmelade and several cups of scorching-hot Earl Grey. Gotta love a place with no less than six choices of tea. The preponderance of
Tupelo Honey
Sitting the Green Tortoise ballroom having breakfast and this came on the radio. I hear you Didibear. Tupelo Honey by Van Morrisson You can take all the tea in china Put it in a big brown bag for me Sail right around the seven oceans Drop it straight into the deep blue sea Shes as
Green Tortoise – Day 1
What a lovely, funky place! The room is small but well-appointed, right down to a somewhat-battered but quite serviceable box-fan (that was oh-so-welcome since I sleep with a fan at home). The shared bathroom(s) are nicely done, also small but numerous and plenty of hot water… ahhh. These tired old bones appreciated that. Will have
Ground Crew
My dear friend DJ Cline was at the airport to greet me. Laughter ensued. My heart soars to be in this man’s presence. A quick trip to Target for toiletries became a comedy of social observations. His joie de vie is infectious and Gods how I needed infecting.
Wharf walk
Spent the day walking Fisherman’s Wharf in SF, retracing the steps that Marilyn and I took together. Stopped at a hot chocolate stand (TCHO) and had a drink. Sat out front and just thought about Marilyn. Sigh.
Travel Day
Flew from Denver to San Francisco today. My seat-neighbor was a delightful woman named Beverly. We had such a lovely conversation that it took both of our nervous-flyer minds off our fears. I bought us both a drink (Whiskey of course!) and we toasted to the great loves in our lives – me to Marilyn,
Marilyn’s Memorial Photos
Flickr set.
Spirit
Pretty Ballerina
Hat tip to DJCline. YouTube video (audio with image of record player) Pretty Ballerina by Left Banke I had a date with a pretty ballerina Her hair so brilliant that it hurt my eyes I asked her for this dance and then she obliged me Was I surprised, yeah Was I surprised, no not at
Yet a While
My dear friend Mary Pitt sent me this poem she wrote for her beloved husband. He too, has departed and this poem now has special meaning for me as well. Thank you Mumzee. Yet a While Walk with me yet a while, dear heart, The road is dark ahead I need your light to show
Marilyn Wray Memorial Program
Marilyn Wray Memorial Booklet (pdf 1.1Mb) Landscape orientaion, two-sided, letter-size paper 8.5 in x 11 in. Text contained in the booklet follows: Marilyn Bonita Wray June 16, 1951 – May 14, 2009 Marilyn Bonita Wray — June 16, 1951 – May 14, 2009 Memorial Services 6:45 am Guests gather at 2339 Bowen St, Longmont 7:00
O Wife
O Wife for my beloved Marilyn Bonita God did smile when we met happiest either had been yet Love had blossomed we both grew each made the other whole and new The wheel has turned and you’ve departed now I finish what we started I walk alone pain like a sun heart like a stone
“…I walk alone…”
Boulevard Of Broken Dreams Green Day I walk a lonely road The only one that I have ever known Don’t know where it goes But it’s home to me and I walk alone I walk this empty street On the Boulevard of Broken Dreams Where the city sleeps and I’m the only one and I
The Cremation of Sam McGee
There are strange things done in the midnight sun By the men who moil for gold; The Arctic trails have their secret tales That would make your blood run cold; The Northern Lights have seen queer sights, But the queerest they ever did see Was that night on the marge of Lake Lebarge I cremated
Renascence
by Edna St. Vincent Millay in 1917 All I could see from where I stood Was three long mountains and a wood; I turned and looked another way, And saw three islands in a bay. So with my eyes I traced the line Of the horizon, thin and fine, Straight around till I was come
Funeral Blues
Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone, Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone, Silence the pianos and with muffled drum Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come. Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead Scribbling on the sky the message He is Dead. Put crepe bows round the white necks of the
Rescue squad
Working from home this week, trying to re-establish the rhythm of my life. I have a photo of Marilyn above my home office desk and more than once I simply sat and looked at it. More than once I just sat and wept. Feeling miserable, about to call for help I saw my friend Jim
One of many signs
When we knew she was terminal and time was short, I asked my wife to send me a sign from the other side. A week after she was gone one of my friends finally dragged me out for dinner at the Royal Wok in Longmont. It had been our favorite Chinese restaurant. This was my
Big purple rockers
We spent a ton of time sitting here, talking. Marilyn found these wonderful snap-together (like giant Duplo bricks!) rockers. We never could find more. I think they were made just for us.
Mirror and candle
There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it. Edith Wharton, Vesalius in Zante US novelist (1862 – 1937) Note – everything in this photo is significant: The chalice holding the candle is one that’s been in Marilyn’s family for generations. The candle itself from the supply
Folding socks
As I was doing laundry today, I sorted out my sock drawer and paired up the socks. As I did I folded over the neck of each pair to keep them together, unconciously imitating my friend Kate’s way of organizing them. I realized as I did that I’ve ‘collected’ bits of behavior from all the
Like an old truck
Marilyn and a truck on Alcatraz island, San Francisco, CA. She really was like an old truck: front end shimmied, rear end grumbled, lots of dings and rattles, would never turn over on a cold morning… and I just loved long drives with her. I even miss the backfires. sigh
Our last vacation
Marilyn and I only took one real vacation together – San Francisco and a trip down the coast. Here’s the photos.
Notes from her desk
I’m combining Marilyn’s office with mine and was dissassembling her desk area – came across these notes up on the wall: I will Not fear. God IS with me. (added to one side) Overflowing with thankfulness If you don’t worship God in the Wilderness, you won’t Praise or Worship Him in the Promised Land (Romans
Marilyn Wray 1951 – 2009
Marilyn Bonita Wray (née Lawrence) June 16, 1951 – May 14, 2009 Born to Clyde and Geraldine Lawrence (née England) in Caldwell, ID. An active equestrienne in her youth, Marilyn was a trained vocalist and enthusiastic guitarist, an active church member and beloved babysitter. She attended Boise State University, graduating with a Masters in Criminal
Lights
Marilyn was the light of my life. Things got so dark when she went. Today my Uncle Les called and we talked about life and how things went in his life after his wife Bobbie died. It was wonderfully reassurring and comforting. Thank you Uncle Les. You’ve always been my image of the perfect husband.
Marilyn’s Room
December 11th, 2008 Marilyn got a hospital bed for her back, which had been really acting up before her diagnosis with lymphoma. She had been using the oxygen concentrator for some time and I’d just had cable service installed in her room. Looks just like a hospital room. I’ve said how much -I- didn’t like
Tyger
My wife was an amazingly strong willed woman. When we argued or fought outright she was like a tiger. She was always fiercely protective of me, but she brooked no nonsense and tolerated no disrespect. She taught me to be a good husband. This poem is dedicated to her. THE TYGER (from Songs Of Experience)
Mortality +6
The house stands half-empty. The majority of Marilyn’s belongings have been bequeathed to those she wished. The remaining fragments of her life are in various places around the house. Some photos have been moved due to change in significance. The deck is finally cleared and will be cleaned soon. Marilyn literally took over the back
Stem Cell Research
The Catholic church is actively opposing stem-cell research and urging church members to post comments opposing stem cell research at the public comment form: Draft NIH Human Stem Cell Guidelines Comment Form What follows is my public comment on the draft of the new stem cell guidelines: Having just lost my wife to lymphoma of
Sail Away
by David Gray Sail away with me honey I put my heart in your hands Sail away with me honey now, now, now Sail away with me What will be will be I wanna hold you now Crazy skies all wild above me now Winter howling at my face And everything I held so dear