Well, it's done. Bradley graduated from High School tonight. I cannot believe how quickly time has passed!
My kiddos
Bradley is the 3rd generation to graduate from his high school. My father and I both graduated from there. I think that's pretty cool. Don't ask me why.
With Grandma & Grandpa
After graduation, we headed to our favorite local pizza place. We had an awful time getting a decent picture and I finally gave up. This is a classic example of how awful my pictures turn out. My mom is the only one who looks good. My dad has some strange light reflecting off of his glasses. Mark couldn't look more unhappy to be there. Matthew is just being goofy Matthew. Bradley was sticking his tongue out at me and my reaction was to make a horrible face. Caitlyn snapped the picture so she missed out on looking bad with the rest of us.
Heaven forbid we take a good picture
I didn't even get a picture of the 5 of us on my camera. My mom took them with hers so I have to get that from her later.
Anyway, we couldn't be more proud of him. I am quite surprised that I was not more emotional but I'm going with it.
Next up...Matthew's graduation from junior high tomorrow.
Live is crazy busy right now. My head is spinning with everything that needs to get done both at work and at home.
Yesterday was Bradley's last day in high school. Goodness, where have the years gone? Graduation is on Friday.
Last night was also Matthew's awards night at school. He received the President's Outstanding Academic Excellence Award. His last day of junior high is tomorrow and his graduation is Saturday.
Work has been crazy busy the last few weeks and this week is by far the worst. I've been covering someone else in addition to my own work and there just aren't enough hours to get it all done. I won't bore you with details but there is so very much going on there right now. I love what I do but I'm a bit overwhelmed with it all.
Aside from the typical end of the school year activities, graduations, crazy busy work and the fact that I've been a single mom more in the last month than ever (Mark has had a crazy travel schedule), we are leaving for vacation on Sunday. This means in between all of the other activities, I need to get my family of 5 ready to be gone for 10 days.
I'm not quite sure what I was thinking when I booked this trip. Clearly, I did not realize how insanely busy I was going to be.
Hopefully I will be able to update with graduation pictures before we head out on Sunday. Wish me luck that I get it all done...
I got that feeling today that I've been missing lately. I felt like running. Of course, that was this morning before the heat of the day set in, when I had lots of energy but needed to get ready and get to work.
Finally about 7pm, I was done with work and errands and such. I put on my Sparkle Skirt (Everest) and my 5k262 shirt that says "Running makes me smile bigger" and I headed out.
I walked the first block and broke out into a slow jog. Finally! I only went about 2 miles but it was something. It wasn't pretty, I was gasping for breath, it was 85F and humid and I haven't even had any water today. Only tea and pop. Not the best prep, I know. I'm just so happy I finally ran.
Tonight is Bradley's Senior Prom. I used Alyssa's mom's camera so I actually have very few pictures until I get copies from her. I didn't think that through very well. I'm also not all that creative when it comes to photography and poses and such.
All the kids looked so great and they had such a beautiful day/night for prom. This year, they had motor coaches that took the kids down to Navy Pier and prom was being held in the Crystal Garden. Such a beautiful venue, I wish I could have gotten pictures there!
Bradley & Alyssa
He's a bit of a clown sometimes. I love her face here!
My boy & I
Mark is in China this week so he missed out. I had such fun! I never got to go to my senior prom (or any school dance for that matter) so this was a first for me.
I'm in a running funk. Actually, truth be told, I haven't run for weeks so maybe it's a non-running funk?
I got sick a few weeks ago and had lung junk that just didn't work with running. The weather wasn't spectacular either which didn't help. That's why I stopped. I have no good reason why I haven't started again. I've still been walking at least a mile a day though. Today was day 157.
Thing is, now the weather is PERFECT for running but I have lost my motivation. I can't seem to make myself get out there and do it. Walking just seems so much more enjoyable right now.
The lack of running has a few negative side effects:
I'm not burning many calories with just walking. It is not helping my weight loss cause.
I am losing whatever fitness level I had before. I really dislike not being in at least half marathon shape.
I do not have the stress relief that running provides. Walking doesn't clear my head the same way.
I've go no races on my schedule at all. I think that adds to the lack of motivation. It used to be that I could go out walking and end up running. That's not happening.
I have written, re-written, edited, deleted and written this post again. I just can't seem to get it right but I also don't want to not post it.
One year ago today, I was woken by the phone at 1:30am. It was my friend and neighbor Nancy calling to tell me that her 17 year old nephew, Austin, had taken his life.
What?!?
We've known Austin since he was born. He, Bradley and their friend Nathan were lifelong friends, we used to refer to them as "The Three Amigos". They were all born within 5 weeks of each other.
Left to right: Sally & Austin, Me & Bradley, Kelly & Nathan
Left to right: Austin, Bradley & Nathan
Austin & Nathan's parents are good friends of ours. We've known them for more years than we've been married. Our families have vacationed together, our kids have had plenty of sleepovers with each other. We all live within a half mile radius of each other. We have been "doing life" together for over 22 years.
It is impossible for me to truly convey how this impacted all of us. It has been life changing.
There are so many moments and details that are burned into my memory. I've shed so many tears in the last year, I've prayed more, I've never felt so helpless and nothing has changed my perspective on what is really important in life more than this one tragedy. We all feel this loss so deeply. I loved Austin, I love his 3 brothers and his sister. I love Nathan and his brother and sister. I look at them just like they are my kids. I have watched his family deal with the loss and I have felt completely helpless because there was nothing I could do to make it better. Watching Bradley, as the realization of what happened sunk in, ripped my heart in two. I would have given anything to spare him the pain.
So here we are at the 1 year mark. I feel like I have spent the last year holding my breath. Hoping we would all make it past all of the "firsts". Last Thursday would have been Austin's 18th birthday. I can't help but think of all of the things that should be happening in his life. Things that are happening in Bradley's life. Prom, getting ready to graduate high school, college searches, applications, acceptance letters, the list goes on. As much as I wanted to think that things would be better after we hit that 1 year mark, I'm pretty sure not much will change. We still don't have answers, the pain is still there, we still miss him and we don't understand why.
I sat across from Sally at breakfast a few days ago wishing I had the right words. Wishing I had answers. Wishing I could take her pain away. I feel so sad for my friend. All I can do is pray and ask God to be everything to them that they need.
I couldn't let this day go by without mentioning it. I find myself thinking about it at the most random times. I have no idea what the next year holds but I can tell you this, God is in control.
This song is a favorite of mine. It took on new meaning a year ago. I cannot hear it without thinking of Tom & Sally. I know it has been one of Sally's go-to songs this past year.
