Frank
Today was a day of enlightenment for many of us. Your wife knows how to touch a person's soul with just a few words.
Let me start at the beginning. Today was your nephew's baptism. Now approaching 3 months old, Noah Franklin Hardy is already a heartbreaker. He takes after me in that sense, though Vanessa, Mom, and Nancy don't seem to think that's a good thing. Personally, I just think they don't like the fact that Noah has them wrapped around his finger. That little boy just flashes a smile and they melt…especially Nancy. I think it killed her when Vanessa and I moved out a month ago, but we are only a few blocks away and I've promised her unlimited access to Noah. Moving that close has been good for all of us; not only do we have a very willing babysitter nearby, but I'm also still close enough to check up on her if need be.
Everyone attended the ceremony, even a few surprise guests. That's right, Bess and George, along with their husbands, flew in to celebrate with us. None of us have seen them since the funeral, and I think Noah was the perfect excuse to fly in and check on Nancy. Not that they don't call all the time, but you have to remember LA and Houston aren't just down the road, and they do have their own lives. No, the three of us have an understanding. They trust me to take care of Nancy here and if things ever get really bad, they would be the first one's I call.
We all met back at our house for lunch after the service and everyone spent the time catching up on each other's lives. Things were going really well until Bess quietly broached a sensitive subject with Nancy. Bess had a friend from California transferring to New York and she thought Nancy might be interested in showing him around. Nancy went pale, but didn't say a word. Slowly everyone else started helping Bess out. After all, you have been gone a year and a half, maybe it was time for her to start dating again. It was Vanessa who delivered the kicker. "You know Nan, Frank would want you to be happy. He wouldn't want you to be alone." Nancy took the time to look every single one of us in the eye before answering, and I don't think I will ever forget her words. In a quiet voice she whispered, "If that were the case, he wouldn't have left me."
I know everyone has a different idea of what their wedding vows mean, but I think Nancy is the only one I know who plans on staying true to them for all eternity. Even though she vowed only to be with you "till death do you part", death isn't keeping her from leaving your side.
You have no idea what you've left behind, big brother.
Joe