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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

EndNotes

A modest proposal

Romertopf clay pots are best known for cooking meats, but they also turn out delicious soups, like this butternut squash and apple soup pictured above. The pot also does an amazing job making bread and meat dishes. (Dan Pelle)
Romertopf clay pots are best known for cooking meats, but they also turn out delicious soups, like this butternut squash and apple soup pictured above. The pot also does an amazing job making bread and meat dishes. (Dan Pelle)

He asked me to marry him 34 years ago today. We were so young, but thought we were quite prepared: mature, responsible and ready. Ha!

He did not arrange for a flash mob or jumbo tron or media presentation. I was not feeling well; he came over and made me soup and then asked me to marry him.

The years have brought such challenges: a groomsman’s suicide the night of his bachelor party, foster parenting his abandoned nephews, my parent’s divorce, his – then my – cancer, a job lay-off. How does anyone prepare for life?

Decades later he still makes me soup as I listen to details of his day; we discuss, debate and decide paint colors and career choices. Catching only glimpses of our younger selves, we watch our faces age, our bodies shift shape and the years proceed.

But today I pause and text him: “So glad you asked!” He soon calls back, “Me, too.”

How did you decide to ask for or answer your future? 

(S-R archive photo)



Spokesman-Review features writer Rebecca Nappi, along with writer Catherine Johnston of Olympia, Wash., discuss here issues facing aging boomers, seniors and those experiencing serious illness, dying, death and other forms of loss.