Dear Pam, I'm writing you from the art gallery where I spend most of my Saturday afternoon and evenings these days. Gives me the opportunity to meet and talk with so many interesting people from all walks of life and from every corner of the country.

We talked at length about how God gives us all purpose and when we find the so called sweet spot it can be incredibly rewarding. In her case, she has certainly found the sweet spot in her life. For me...well, I'm still not sure but I try to keep an open mind to the possibilities.

Have you ever thought about how close we are to heaven? Of course nobody knows, but on recent flight I started to think I was getting closer.

We both loved hiking and exploring new places and when you have someone at your side doing these things...well, it's just a different feeling.

Dear Pam, tonight I'm writing from my hotel in beautiful Salt Lake City, Utah and boy the memories are flowing strong. This is my first time back out west since moving away from Oregon to Tennessee in December. And while I enjoy the southeast I can feel that draw of the west that kept us returning to this part of the world where we lived for the majority of of our married life.

Dear Pam, I've often heard that the second year of being without the one you loved can often be harder than the first. For me I've tried to believe that's not true but then there are days that start off like today when it feels like you just left us and the feeling of loss is so very, very strong again.

I had a really long day that started early this morning with me not getting home until a little after 11 pm. However, it was also a really good day that provided some great encounters with people from all parts of the country and dinner with new friends that recently moved here.

Dear Pam, it's been a good day with plenty of smiles, laughs and good times with family members as we all attended the beautiful wedding of your sister Brenda and Eddie's son Ben to Elaina. Of course at the same time it stirred up some strong memories inside me as I thought back to our wedding day.

After a long week on the road I was thinking about taking it easy heading into the weekend. However, after giving it some thought I decided to work at the gallery this evening and the decision proved to be the right move as I met some amazing people.

I finished up my business trip today in Kansas City where I saw an old friend. Later while headed to the airport I passed over Tom Watson Parkway, named for the professional golfer who is from KC. I then began to think about the recent loss of his wife along with my loss of Pam which led to deeper thoughts about golf in heaven.