February 15th & 16th my mom, Cari and I went to a TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) seminar in Lansing. It is designed to get survivors of military losses together to not feel so alone.... that's not really a good way to put it .... to talk about topics brought up by a moderator and compare stories and talk to people who may have an ( Read more... )

I haven't posted since Christmas and a lot has happened.

Artaius type thingsWhile Artaius is a border collie in his obsessive compulsive nature (chasing lights and shadows) he is also a border collie in the smarts department ( Read more... )

I miss Alex a lot - especially at the holidays. I still feel so lucky to be here and to be celebrating with my family and friends. There are a lot of soldiers that are serving overseas and unable to be with their families this holiday. I raise my glass to them and say thank you for all that you do, be safe, and come home to your families soon!

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The Lest They Be Forgotten memorial for Alex is scheduled for Sunday, Nov 11, 2007, at 1:oo pm, at the White Lake VFW Post. This is the memorial that we raised funds for over the last year including the dinner in Highland at Sparkies ( Read more... )

I've watched this several times - it makes me cry each time.

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Over the last 2 weekends my mom has given me a crash course in sewing. The first weekend I sewed a bag for the chest protector I have to wear for karate and this weekend I made a skirt. I had a blast learning AND I couldn't have done it in a weekend if mom hadn't done almost all of the pinning and ironing (hey, I know how to do that stuff... it ( Read more... )

I was unable to post from my mom's house for whatever reason on the actual date of Alex's passing so I backdated it here *~*

I find it nearly impossible to believe that a full year has gone by since Alex passed. A year. I don't remember so much of this past year. Details have drifted away. It's as if I've been in a dream (nightmare?) for an entire year. Am I finally waking up? Am I ready to wake up? I've certainly let some of the pain through but I think that I've ( Read more... )

Just right now I think it hit me why I haven't been nervous about the waiting in between interviews to hear the next decision. I have a much bigger date looming close by and that compared to anything else is just so much more important. Actually, I have several dates that are rapidly approaching. Alex would have turned 23 on May 14th. Still a ( Read more... )

Crying at work is not acceptable. But these days I find it doesn't take anything for it to happen. The closer we get to the year mark the more emotional I get about it. It would be easier if we were all on the same side instead of biding time and biting tongues.