Carolyn's Search

On the anniversary of their first date, Frank surprised Carolyn with an evening cruise on the bay.  The moon and stars shone down upon them as they walked hand in hand on the deck.  Suddenly, Frank stopped and knelt down on one knee.  Taking both of her hands in his, he said,

“Carolyn, I fell in love with you the first moment I met you and I continue to fall deeper each day.  I love you with all my heart and want to share my life with you.  Will you marry me and be my wife?”  He opened a small black velvet box and slid a beautiful 1-carat diamond engagement ring onto her finger.

“Oh, Frank!  It’s beautiful!  Yes, I will marry you!”

Six months later, they were wed with Jim and Julia as their witnesses.  It was a beautiful wedding.  Carolyn wore a long, white gown with pearls and sequins and carried a bouquet of white lilies.  Julia’s dress had a black velvet tea-length skirt and emerald green top.  Frank wore a white tuxedo with tails and a red rosebud boutonniere.  Jim’s tuxedo was black with a green cummerbund to match Julia’s top.  Carolyn and Frank chose a hillside overlooking the bay where Frank had proposed for their wedding site.  The sun was setting as the ceremony began.  Candles surrounded the area.  As Carolyn and her father walked down the aisle, the candlelight reflected the iridescent sequins on her dress, causing a shimmering effect.  Frank thought he would explode with love and pride.  How lucky he was to have Carolyn as his wife!  They exchanged their vows and were officially introduced as a couple.  The reception was held nearby and while the musicians played, everyone danced.  It was a perfectly romantic evening.  When Carolyn threw her bouquet, it was Julia who caught it.  Everyone laughed and teased her and Jim.  Julia only smiled.

The newlyweds spent their honeymoon relaxing and playing in the sands of the Caribbean.  Life was good and they felt fortunate they had found one another.

Their married life was filled with happiness.  Those who knew them were amazed at the special relationship they shared.  Frank would bring home flowers or Carolyn’s favorite flavor of ice cream while she would call him at his office just to say “hello” or “I love you”.  They genuinely cared for one another.  They made plans for the future, dreaming about having a family and growing old together.  Carolyn shared her dream of raising a large family and Frank would smile and hug her close.  They spent months searching for a house that they both liked.  Frank wanted a home with a big yard and Carolyn wanted a large kitchen.  They finally found their “dream home” and set about painting and landscaping.  Working together side by side brought them even closer.

As fate stepped in and brought them together, it stepped in again to tear them apart.  It happened a few days before their third wedding anniversary.  Frank was on his way home from work when another car failed to stop at a red light.  The luxury car slammed into Frank’s little compact, crushing him inside.  When Carolyn opened the door, thinking Frank must have forgotten his house key again, a police officer was standing there.  She knew immediately Frank would not be coming home.

Lost in her grief, the days before the funeral were a blur for Carolyn.  Julia flew in from California to be with her, but even being surrounded by her father and friends, Carolyn was alone and lost.  They had truly become one –husband and wife –and now half of her had been ripped away.  Carolyn’s family had never been religious and so she had no answers or faith to cling to now.  She wasn’t even sure whom to ask the questions.  Julia tried to share her faith about God and His love, but Carolyn wanted answers to questions that had no earthly answers.  How could God allow her husband to die?  They had plans for the future!  They were trying to have a baby!  Why Frank?  Why now?

Julia and Carolyn’s father, Howard, helped her make arrangements for the funeral.  Margaret, Carolyn’s mother, had sent a message that she was too ill to attend.  Carolyn didn’t realize how much planning there was for a funeral.  It had never crossed their minds they would have to go through this so soon.  Julia stayed a few weeks after the funeral to help Carolyn settle Frank’s estate, though there was little to settle.  They had barely begun to build their lives.

Six months after Frank’s death, Julia convinced Carolyn to pack her things and move out to California.  Julia was starting her own consulting business and needed Carolyn’s levelheaded guidance for the accounting portion.  It was difficult for her to leave her father and even harder for her to leave the home she had shared with Frank.  She needed a change of scenery though, someplace where she wouldn’t look for Frank coming around a corner in the neighborhood or at the grocery store.

So here Carolyn sat, alone in her apartme