Every year around June 1st I warn J.D that I get moody and weepy in June so I’m not held responsible for my distance and mood shifts. Then I forget about the disclosure and along about June 20th, I realize that the reason I’m so emotional is because I’m nearing an anniversary that I don’t want to celebrate. Once I realize it, my tears stop and I just become sullen until August comes.
It’s been twelve years since our lives changed immeasurably. And for the first time, it didn’t occur to me until the morning of the 27th that it was upon me. Progress!
I talked to Tiff this morning; neither of us acknowledged that it was the day even though we both knew it. It was a fleeting thought as I spoke with her. I thought, “Hmmm… that wasn’t so bad, no tears, what’d ya’ know!”
The first few years after Brent died, we’d get together at Pizzeria, a family favorite by default where Tiff and Bree both worked as teenagers. We celebrated lots of ball games, new boyfriends, and Friday nights (and it’s great pizza). As the years passed and babies were born, lives changed, it got harder and harder to see each other on June 27. It also got less painful to pass through the day without each other.
Today, though I hadn’t publically acknowledged what day it was, it was serendipity that I realized it while IM-ing Kellene. She had written a reference letter for me to receive a “seeing eye dog,” and the organization thought they hadn’t received it. I asked Kel about it and she sent it to me.
I should have just forwarded it on but because I’m me, I read it first. And… instant tear gushing, sniffing, drowning in snot and tears. I LOVE HER! And I can’t imagine having lived through the last 12 years without YOU – my family and friends. THANK YOU!
It is a great day to celebrate everything we have accomplished in the last 12 years. Here’s a short list our gigantic family has to celebrate.
Honeymoon’s – Braxton’s birth – high school graduation – new jobs – new houses – lots of softball games – Disneyland – learning to play soccer –Merrick’s birth – baby horses – football games – Dalton’s birth – 3 college graduations – learning to read – Malan’s birth – J.D. – gaining sons – Jake – Jerin – Jadin – moving – Disney World – surviving cancer - new daughter-in-laws – St. Anthony – new schools – family reunions – turning 20, 30, 40, and 50 - baseball – bible school – Ari – Chase – new pets - San Juan Islands – making new friends – Europe – building houses – baseball trips - Girls’ Nights – Snowbasin - business trips –quilts – family trips – Dutch oven parties – birthday parties –Bridger’s birth – martini club – Mexico – Olympics - job promotions – 5 new wheelchairs – trips to Idaho – Piedmont – remembering Veteran’s Day – Argentina – building a pond – Malan’s Park – new trailers – Jackson Hole - torchbearers - family camp trips – pitching the first ball – lots of costumes – ski races – kickball – sisters – brothers – mothers – grandmothers – grandfathers – and a million other things that make life wonderful, and especially dads.
And I show you Kellene’s reference letter below not to share my accomplishments, but to illustrate how a dear friend has honored my life. THANK YOU, my friend.
1 comment:
What do you say in response to something so beautiful and profound? So perfect? I am deeply grateful you have Kellene and an army of wonderful friends and family. Of course, it's no surprise. You are one of the most generous people I know. Giving of not merely things, but your whole soul. We are all infinitely blessed to have you in our lives.
I'm grateful that the 27th is getting easier each year. Here's to many more, successively easier 27ths.
Can't wait for a new furry family member to join the crew and the blessings list. : )
Post a Comment