Date: Mon, 12 Mar 2012 00:56:47 -0500
From: Jeff STL <jeffstl@hotmail.com>
Subject: office-fantasy-29

Dear Readers,

You may remember me as Jesse's ex-wife, Leslie from some early chapters.
I found this diary in Jesse's stuff, and felt I should complete the final
chapter.  I don't have a lot to say, but I think it's important to put a
close on what he started so many years ago.

First, I saw that Jesse ended his story when he became a diabetic.   I
have to say that yes, it was hard to read all those chapters.  I never
knew what he went through in his life.  Anyway, Jesse did get everything
under control.  Getting that disease, as horrible as it was, and still
is, was probably a good thing.  Mark was able to get him to lose all the
weight and he kept his health for many years.

I think Jesse probably stopped writing this journal because once he got
things under control, he really became active in a lot of things.  He was
still a great dad to my kids, and a good friend to many.  He and Mark
started their own business for awhile, and even helped my younger son
start a ranch by investing in it.  Mark and Jesse had a civil ceremony in
Hawaii and remained faithful and loving partners for the rest of their
lives.  I think that is why his story probably stopped where it
did...because it is where he probably felt his real life began.  Gone was
the anxious Jesse, and out came the adventurous man inside.

Yes, it has been a long time, and Jesse died at the tender age of 75 two
weeks ago.  Of course, I forgave Jesse once I got over what had happened,
and my second husband and I became very close to both Mark and Jesse.
They were among the best of our friends, and were actually considered
part of our family.   After my husband passed away from a heart attack
five years ago, and Mark had passed away in his sleep two years after
that, Jesse moved in with me, and we lived with my younger son and his
family on the ranch.  Although we never became lovers again, it was
almost like we were married and we spent a lot of time just enjoying each
other's company.  It was hard to let him go again, but I don't regret a
single day we spent together.

And so, dear readers, I close Jesse's story by letting you know that
everything turned out wonderfully for a great and loving man.   Every
time I see a sunset, I will think of him and those evenings we sat on the
porch and just talked for hours.  Take care of yourselves, and make your
lives your own, for it is yours for the living!

With love and affection, and on behalf of Jesse,
Leslie

------------------------

Thanks again for all who have read and enjoyed this.  I never dreamt I'd
write something like this.  But, by the same token, I just don't have any
story left in me as far as this "epic" goes.  I just wanted to give it
closure.  Hard to believe it's been 4.5 years since I've contributed to
it.  I had to keep this chapter fairly simple since I don't recall half
of my characters anymore!  LOL

Good luck to you all, and take care of yourselves!

P.S.  I really did get diagnosed with diabetes in January 2007, and just
from diet and exercise and getting my weight down, my readings have still
been normal ever since that very first time the A1C was high.  I even
overcame sleep apnea.   Please take care of your bodies...it's the only
one we get!

Jeff