When my husband passed away in 1999, I remember thinking while leaving the hospital that we would never have a Golden Anniversary. We had been married 26 years. In 2023, the year that would have been our 50th anniversary, I told my family that I would like for all of us to get together on that day. Immediately, there were reasons why that day would not work. My grandson was in the school play and he needed to be there. Someone else had to be out of town for work. I don't remember some of the others, but they were all valid reasons. We planned another day that we could all be together, but I was broken hearted that I would have to be alone on that day. Then I got a call from my sister's. They would come and be with me on my anniversary. One flew from Texas to Utah, another drove the 7 hours from Las Vegas, and a dear cousin that we claim as a sister also drove to be there with me. We spent 3 wonderful days together laughing and remembering. I cannot thank them enough for going out of their way to be there with me. Their presence was my present!
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Shauna StephensonJune 3, 2026
When my husband passed away in 1999, I remember thinking while leaving the hospital that we would never have a Golden Anniversary. We had been married 26 years. In 2023, the year that would have been our 50th anniversary, I told my family that I would like for all of us to get together on that day. Immediately, there were reasons why that day would not work. My grandson was in the school play and he needed to be there. Someone else had to be out of town for work. I don't remember some of the others, but they were all valid reasons. We planned another day that we could all be together, but I was broken hearted that I would have to be alone on that day. Then I got a call from my sister's. They would come and be with me on my anniversary. One flew from Texas to Utah, another drove the 7 hours from Las Vegas, and a dear cousin that we claim as a sister also drove to be there with me. We spent 3 wonderful days together laughing and remembering. I cannot thank them enough for going out of their way to be there with me. Their presence was my present!
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