Want to know something interesting? As time is passing, more and more in my head I find myself thinking of Kendall as “Kenny.” He was Kenny all growing up, when we first met and started dating, and until about one year into our married life when he decided to start going by Kendall. Meaning he’s been Kendall for more than 18 years, far longer than I knew him as Kenny. Except, it was “Kenny” who was so happy, considerably more outgoing, could be the life of a party, and didn’t struggle with such severe depression or other mental health challenges. He was more his authentic self, and it’s how I now choose to think of him. Don’t get me wrong, “Kendall” was a wonderful husband, involved and loving father, a good provider, but there were so many challenges and burdens he had to carry with him through a lot of his mortal journey. Burdens I know he has now been able to set down, that have finally been lifted from him. I can’t tell you how happy that makes me.
So you’ll understand why I may sometimes slip in writing or talking and say Kenny instead of Kendall. This picture of Kenny and me was taken on our first Christmas together, a few months after we had been married. We were such babies! And aren’t our Christmas cracker hats so fetching? I know you’re jealous.
