Michael I have no words to take your pain away, but the words that you have shared tell me that the love you had for your partner was the finest and purest. I hope that can carry you over, and support you in this dreadful time.

One of my longest friends lost her husband recently. He had Parkinson's and was on new treatment and felt so much better. His mobility and improved and he was convinced he could eventually get behind the wheel of his car again.

My friend had to drive to the airport to pick up her daughter. She made sure he had all his needs, including his mobile. She would call to let him know when she would be home

When she did call there was no reply. It seemed that he had slipped away while she was out.

I have read of many dying people who leave the world alone, just a minutes after their partner leaves the room.

Perhaps, in those last moments, their ultimate display of love, is to leave as quietly as possible.

Even when intellectually we know it's going to happen, dying still rocks us to the core, and we are never quite the same.

Time never really heals, but it does make things better. Time and memories are what you have, and those memories will make you smile, eventually, laugh even, and you will find yourself with hope for the future.

The life we plan for ourselves doesn't always play out as we'd like, and sometimes we just have to settle for the same plan, in your case without Susan, and be buoyed by the lovely times that were yours.

Wishing you good times. .