It’s raining and gloomy today; I set out to find some images that might capture the mood and touch the heart. It didn’t take long. I walked into the read of the barn, where I rarely go, and was startled to see these old finger carvings in the dirty windows that open onto the Pole Barn.

I didn’t recognize the writing at first and then remembered that I made these carvings soon after we moved to our new farm, the current Bedlam Farm. As I recall, it was a rainy and gloomy day just like this.

I wanted to surprise Maria with it when she came into the barn, as she did and does every morning, to say good morning to the animals. But when I look at the initials, I think she had to have written at least one; my finger-writing is not that good.

It was, of course, a love note – Jon and Maria.

I stood in the barn staring at the sign for a while. It brought a lot of emotion back to me. I don’t think either of us has looked at that window for some time.

I loved Maria then, and I love Maria more even now.

She and I are on an incredible journey together, always there for one another, fighting for each other and getting stronger. I hope whoever comes across this dirty window pane in a hundred years will notice the letters and wonder who made them.

We are a love story when all is said and done and have been from the beginning.

The initials speak of love and trust and share commitment and pain. We know what it is like to suffer, and we know what it is like to feel joy and happiness. I remember the happy newlywed who wrote those initials in the glass, dirty even then. He is more comfortable now.

Happy New Year to you, and happy New Year to us.