Happy Pride Day!

This is a photo of San Francisco City Hall during a past Pride Celebration. This is where Tim and I were married on March 9, 2004. We were one of 4,000 same-sex couples to be married before the California Supreme Court halted such marriages. Not too long afterwards, our marriage (and those of the other same-sex marriages) was voided by the Court. We tried again and were married on July 24, 2008 at the Marin Civic Center. Shortly afterwards, all same-sex couples marriages were halted. It took five years (2013) for the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold our marriage and those others married back in 2008 – our status in limbo all this time. Same-sex marriage was now legal throughout the U.S. Tim and I created our very first marriage ceremony over 38 years ago since there was no legal path to marriage for us at the time. We continued to create our own marriage ceremonies through the years to reaffirm our commitment to each other – even if it wasn’t legally recognized.

It’s been almost two months since Tim died. I started today’s blog with great appreciation for the fact that Tim and I were legally married and how far being LGBT has changed in our lifetime. Our legal recognition has made my recent interactions with banks, lawyers and others so much easier. But, legality aside, it’s been a hard two months – and I use the word “hard” instead of “difficult” because it conveys more of the feel of what it’s been like since Tim died. Not much of the day goes by that I don’t think about him and, if not with tears, with a pang in my heart. I miss him so much. But, thanks to the support and nurturing by many loving friends and family, I'm making my way through this.

In keeping with Tim’s wishes, however, I don’t want to dwell on the mournful and depressing side of things (as Tim would have called it). Instead, he wanted me and everyone else to enjoy life and make the most of it. In that light, if you haven’t already responded to the RSVP for Tim’s Celebration of Life on Saturday September 7, here’s the announcement again. If you can, please come. If there are others you know who knew Dr. Tim and might not get this blog, please pass the word on.

A Celebration of “Dr. Tim” Lukaszewski’s Life

A Celebration of Tim Lukaszewski will be held on Saturday September 7, 2019 from 1-4 pm at the Ed Roberts Campus in Berkeley. The Campus is located at the Ashby BART Station, 3075 Adeline Street, Berkeley.

Free parking in the BART parking lot (across from the Saturday Flea Market) as well as parking on nearby streets. You can enter the building either directly from the BART parking lot, or from Adeline Street. Beverages and finger foods will be served.

1-2 pm Doors open. Ongoing slide show.
2-3:30 pm Program of Sharing Memories of Dr. Tim.
3:30-4 pm Party music!

Please RSVP to let us know if you can attend and how many will be coming. RSVP by August 15 to Joanie at neveu.joan@gmail.com.