In Sickness and In Health

I took a deep breath and gripped the podium as I looked out over the large group of people in the room. Everyone was well dressed, except for some of my grandkids, but that’s okay. Starting was the hardest part, but thankfully I’d been rehearsing this speech for a few days.

I tugged at my collar. It was hot up here with all the bright lights.

“I remember it like it was yesterday. She gave me a list of 3 things that I absolutely had to do.” I took out the faded piece of paper that I’d kept in my dresser for the past 63 years and held it up for the room to see. I got a few chuckles and smiles. I cleared my throat and paused to get the words right.

“Number one, wear a NICE tux. She wrote the word “nice” in all caps and underlined it to show its importance.” I smiled. That had been the best $200 I’d ever spent. “Number two, be at the church at 3pm.” I put the list down.

“The wedding was actually at 4pm, but she knew I’d be late, so she told me it was at 3pm so I’d be early.” Another laugh came from the room.

“Uh, number three don’t…hold on this is a little fuzzy.” I squinted and finally took my readers out so I could see it better. “Oh, right, right. Number three, don’t forget it’s your day too. Love, Becca.” I had to stop and wipe my eyes. I could feel them getting wet in the corners. I’d promised myself I wouldn’t do this until I was done, but I could feel everything wanting to come up all at once. I pressed on and sniffled.

“She didn’t let me see her dress. We each had 5 people in our bridal party and my mom insisted on walking me down the aisle, thankfully she wasn’t wearing white. She threatened Becca with that a few times.

“The bridesmaids were wearing mint green dresses.” A groan came from the crowd. “I know. Brandy, you remember.” I pointed at Becca’s best friend, and she nodded and her frown broke into a smile.

“My tie was mint green too. I sweated more at the end of the aisle than I did when I asked her to marry me. That’s a good story too. Joe, you were there for that.” I looked at him and he waved.

“Once the wedding march started and everyone stood, I couldn’t turn around. My knees felt like they were Jello. I remember the priest leaned in and said, ‘Turn around or you’re gonna miss it.’ And when I did.” I took my readers off and wiped my eyes. The tears were coming and my lip quivered.

“Just take your time Martie.” Joe said. I nodded and looked at the ceiling for something that wasn’t there. I couldn’t look at Becca, not yet.

“When I turned around it was like something out of a movie. She told me she was going all out for her dress, but I didn’t understand what she meant until that moment. The light caught the crystals in Becca’s tiara and they looked like stars. She was wearing a long veil with white embroidery on the edges. The dress was white and had sleeves with white flowers on it, her bouquet was mint green, by the way. She smiled so big when she saw me. The wedding photographer got a picture of it. It was always my favorite from that day.”

I pressed my lips together. “63 years later, here we are.” I finally looked at Becca. She was laying in the casket wearing a mint green dress. Her face was paler than usual, but she still looked like herself. I’d been to my friend Harry’s funeral, and he didn’t even look the same, but Becca looked like she was asleep.

“I’ll tell you a few things that helped us stay together through thick and thin. I see some young people out there that might need some advice.” My voice wavered and I coughed into my fist before continuing. “Becca and I didn’t agree on everything, but we never fought, we never tried to win an argument. No one wins an argument it just creates hurt feelings and resentment. We trusted each other. She knew my phones passcode, mostly because I couldn’t remember it.” There was another laugh from the group. “We were each other’s best friend, but we also had our own hobbies. I didn’t go to her book club, and she didn’t come out golfing with me and the boys. Space is good for a relationship.”

“She wouldn’t have wanted everyone to be sad that she was gone. Becca would’ve wanted you to remember all the good times. The vacations we took, our kid’s ballgames, our date nights. We kept doing our date nights, even after she was admitted to the hospital.” I looked down at her. “I said everything I needed to say to Becca. She knew exactly how important she was to me, and I know what I meant to her. She will be missed.” I frowned and made my way down the stairs to the front row. My son got up and helped me down the stairs. I’d forgotten my cane. I didn’t need it anyway.

The seats weren’t that comfortable, but we didn’t sit for long after I was done. I hadn’t noticed the flowers until I sat down. All the arrangements looked nice. Brandy’s was a big circle of mint green dahlias. Becca would’ve loved those. The priest said a few words and then we all stood to take Becca to her final resting place.

I took a hold of one of the cold, brass handles in the middle behind my oldest son Matthew. Some of her old students got on the other side. I didn’t know any of them, but it was nice they were here. The walk to the hearse was short and then we drove further in the cemetery. It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining and it was warm. The weather didn’t reflect what I was feeling inside. The loss of not only my wife, but my best friend. They started lowering her down in the hole and when the casket hit the ground, we all threw little handfuls of dirt on it. The plot next to her was for me. Growing old gets morbid at times, but they say it’s important to have a plan. I wonder when my time will come. Maddy, our daughter, gently tugged my arm to let me know it’s time to go. I turned around to read the headstone one more time.

Here lies Rebecca Anne Greene, Devoted Wife, Loving Mother, Caring Friend. June 10th, 1940 – August 22, 2025.