Every February fifth I can’t believe it’s been another year without Karlie. This year is no different. I miss Karlie; I always will, but we have a new life with Sunny and it’s a good one. Since we are back in San Diego for the winter we’ve ventured to some of Karlie’s favorite places and plan to go to a few more. It always brings a smile to my face to see how much Sunny enjoys these places. And of course I have so many memories of Karlie which also brings a smile to my face.
We recently revisited Miramar Reservoir which is one of the first adventures that Karlie and I took. We went several times after our first visit and have taken Sunny many times as well. Every time I go I am reminded of the first visit. Karlie and I didn’t walk the entire way around the reservoir because at one point the trail seems to end. On subsequent visits we found where the trail continued around the reservoir and walked the entire trail. On this most recent visit we didn’t make it all the way around, but we stopped at several places where I always took pictures with Karlie.
We also recently visited Santa Margarita River Trail Preserve which was our most favorite place to hike in San Diego County. We only visited a few times with Karlie because it’s over an hour’s drive, but we thoroughly explored it every time we visited. Sunny has visited every year that we’ve been in San Diego for the winter so she has been there as many times as Karlie. On this last visit we retraced Karlie and my steps from our first visit. We got down to the river and climbed the trail up toward the homes. It was a great trip down memory lane.
Another place that we recently visited is Mount Soledad Veteran’s Memorial. It’s a close to home location, but another favorite. When we lived in Pacific Beach we walked there and now that we live in Bird Rock we do the same, it’s just a much longer walk. The views are amazing and it’s a lovely place for a picnic or to share apple slices as Sunny and I always do.
The last special place that we recently visited is Anna’s spot at Kate Sessions Park. Sadly the tree stump that marked the spot has since been vandalized, burned, and now removed, but the area is still special to me. It’s one of the places we took Anna on her last day. We visited every year with Karlie and now with Sunny.
So on this February fifth I am filled with memories of Karlie and our life together. I loved her like no other, she was truly my best friend. Her memory lives on in the adventures we took together and the ones I now share with Sunny. I hope she looks down on the life we’ve built with Sunny and smiles and I look forward to the day that I see her (and Anna) again.
I love you forever, sweet Bug.