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Last Kiss: Bill & Marian -- A love that lives in dreams

Editor's note: Among the widowers who responded with accounts of their bereavement was William R. Bickley, a retired communications director for the Milwaukee Road railway, an avid golfer who worked part time in semiretirement at the Chevy Chase Country Club in Wheeling, and a longtime commander of Glenview American Legion Post 166.He died at age 90 before his submission could be published, but we thought you'd be touched, as we were, by the exquisite love he described for his dear late wife, Marian.— John LampinenApril 18, 2018

Bill & Marian

My wife, and love of my life for 62 years, had finished tests and was to be released from the hospital following a visit when I told her I loved her and would pick her (up) in the morning.

I never talked to her again. She suffered a stroke and died three days later.

But I have seen her in my dreams every single night since she passed some six years ago.

Sometimes we're very young. She was 16 when we met, holding hands in the park. Or we're visiting in the hospital after the birth of one of our four children, or we're old and having an argument about one thing or another.

But she is as alive in my dreams as can be to the extent of being scary.

My health allows me to continue to be active in the American Legion; I still drive; visit relatives; and keep in touch with my kids and grandkids; but have no desire to date another woman.

She may be gone, but the memories linger on.

W.R. Bickley

Mount Prospect


THE LAST KISS SERIES
#9632; target="_blank">Patty Corey: The Heartbreak.#9632; Diana Joe: A widow's advice: Embrace bereavement, don't avoid it A Straight From the Source story.
#9632; A story of someday A Straight From the Source story
#9632;
Janice Joe Five lessons I've learned so far A Straight From the Source story
#9632; The Love Story.
#9632;
#8220;_blank#8221;>Patricia Tim: A widow cherishes the memories of her warrior A Straight From the Source story
#9632; Bill Marian: A love that lives in dreams A Straight From the Source story
#9632; Dennis Maggie: I reread her letters, I played her favorite songs A Straight From the Source story
#9632; Dennis Maggie: Just Let Me Talk A Straight From the Source story
#9632; Patty Corey: A widow wishes she had asked for one more kiss. #9632; _blank">Patty Corey: A widow's mission to sustain her husband's barbershop. #9632; _blank#8221;>Donald Helen: A widower's essay becomes his daughter's short film A Straight From the Source story
#9632; _blank#8221;>Susan Guy: A widow's guide to dealing with the loss of a spouse A Straight From the Source story
#9632; A widower's plan to count his blessing at times of deepest grief A Straight From the Source story
#9632;
_blank#8221;>Fred Beverly: Unique and Devastating Loss (by Wifeless) A Straight From the Source story
#9632; _blank#8221;>Last Kiss Epilogue: Some widows heal from grief by healing others
#9632; _blank#8221;>Ken Michele: A widower's story of a loving couple's life A Straight From the Source story
#9632; Stories of loss from our readers


For more on the series, please click here.

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