Gilligan's dreams : the other side of the island

For almost 30 years I was married to the man the rest of the world knew as Gilligan. Almost five decades of reruns have made his television character iconic, but the Bob Denver I knew and loved was legendary to me for his courage, his commitment to his severely autistic son and his love for the wife of his dreams, maybe the reason he called me Dreams. Devoting the last 21 years of his life to our son Colin speaks volumes about Bob Denver, the man. Our love story is one for the ages. Anyone who knew us in our years together will tell you that. Our devotion to each other and to Colin was complete, and the courage of this man during the last six months of his life exemplifies the definition of the word. This is the story of a man and woman who made vows to each other and kept them. This is the story of parents facing the challenge of autism together, never wavering in their love for each other or their son. This is the story of Bob and me, two imperfect people who fit perfectly together. Losing Bob was the hardest thing I’ve ever faced, but his love left me stronger, more focused and in the end, able to survive even when I thought I couldn’t. Being loved by this man was the greatest gift of my life. For every challenge we faced and every minute we spent together, I love you, Bob Denver.