If I had not met my late husband, Gordie, in San Francisco in 1996, I would not have married him in 2001. If I had not married him in 2001, I would not have been widowed in 2012. If I had not been widowed in 2012, I would likely still be married. If I were still married, I would not have spent the past seven Christmases as a solo parent. If I were not a widow, I would have lots of help with everything Christmas.