Dearest Taylor and the doctors who cared for my husband "G," who passed away recently: I have made many attempts to write this letter but have been unable to push through the tears or the pain of my grief. Today I will be successful. There are no words to express how grateful I am for the kind, gentle and loving care you gave my husband. You not only cared for him but me as well. It does not matter your religion; I know God put you in the right place at the right time to help us in our darkest hour. Your words were calm, steady, and supportive. Your gentle touches on the shoulder were comforting. The doctor was thorough in showing me how broken "G's" body was. I have often heard that when one is near death, the hearing is the last to go. I kissed my husband on the forehead and told him it was okay to go and that I would be fine. Tears ran down his cheeks, so I know he heard me. What I really wanted to do was pound my fists into the wall and scream at the top of my lungs, "I'm selfish, I'd much rather have you here." I waited outside his room while all the equipment keeping him alive was disconnected. When I walked back into his room, it was so still and quiet. I laid my head against his body and put his arm around me, and that is where I stayed until his heart beat for the very last time. Taylor, when you came into the room and told me he was gone, I started to cry, and I saw your eyes filling up with tears. You gave me a hug that I will never forget… You're so young, and yet you felt my pain. "G" and I were married for 40 years… I will always have memories! We lived our lives through faith, love, and laughter! We had 40 years together, and I will cherish every memory. My way of coping with "G's" passing is to write love letters to him every day, as I did when he was in the Marine Corps. During his twenty years in the Marine Corps, each time he was deployed to conflicts around the world, he would always say, "handle it with dignity."  I can hear his voice telling me that now. I will never speak of "G" in the past tense because I know he is always with me. Taylor, I will never forget you and the doctors who cared for my husband.