Fair Week Without You

Dear John,

I've been thinking about you so much today. This week is another first - I'm missing the Elkhart County Fair. I just can't face going without you. In the 24 years we've lived here  I think we only missed the fair twice - last summer (since you were in the hospital and I had a broken collarbone), and a few years ago when we were both sick.

We always went for the 4-H part of the fair - we walked the barns and watched the livestock judging. And we learned some things and had a boatload of fun. I still can't see a goat without checking the quality of it's mammary suspensory ligament. Remember the year when I stopped the hog that was charging out into the fairgrounds? I'm glad to not know how much homemade pie we ate.

It's a great fair - one of the country's biggest and best. I love it. And I just can't go without you. It wouldn't be any fun. And there are too many memories at the fairgrounds - all the fairs and all the relief sales. I may go back some day, but not this year. It hurts just to know it's going on.

So please keep praying for me - this week is hard. (Just like Rosanne Rosannadanna's father said: It's alway something.) I love you so much, miss you all the time - especially at times like this that were special for us.

Love you always,

Joan.