Finally...back to the blog. Here we are in the beginning of 2016 and I'm still writing about 2015. Ugh. But, it just shows you how quickly time passes when life throws curveballs at you left and right. The summer of 2015 was a bittersweet one; one that handed us some really good highs and some really tough lows.
The summer began with a visit with my brother's family. He, his wife, and son made the trip up from Louisiana. These are the moments I wish we could freeze in time. My boys getting to know and love on their uncle, aunt, and cousin is everything I could want and more. Being able to spend time with all of my siblings together is one of things in life I cherish. We certainly don't get enough of it and we took every opportunity to spend as much time as possible back in CT.
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| 8/10 grandchildren |
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| the boys with Uncle Richie & Auntie Chantal |
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| Mom and her babies |
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| Big Ben with Uncle Richie |
The middle of June brought some great bowling memories for me. I was able to secure my 17th tournament win. It was emotional, as my Mom was able to share in my moment with me. Winning, for me, takes on a whole new meaning now.
The end of June brought some sad news; a close friend of the family passed away suddenly from a stroke. Death can hit us emotionally in so many ways, but to watch a friend suffer from losing her husband so suddenly brings up a lot for me, emotionally. It's never easy and simply reminds us to live each day as it's our last and not feel like the days are wasting away worrying about stuff that simply doesn't matter.
July came at me, specifically, in every way possible; the good, the bad, the ugly. I tried to muddle through and keep the days busy with the boys, but honestly, it's gets emotionally exhausting. Nate was struggling with some separation anxiety. For example, he became extremely fearful of me leaving any room in the house without him and attempting to pump gas with him in the car was nearly impossible. It's sad to watch your kid regress emotionally, but all we could do is practice, practice, and practice. Ben was great with him and encouraging him with every situation. We kept busy with concerts, family visits, and playgroups.
I was able to take a trip to Baltimore for the next bowling tournament and won! It's always nice for me to take home a win in July. It's already a difficult month for me to begin with so it's nice to honor my Dad by winning. :)
July brought the end of an era for my family. My father's (who passed away unexpectedly in July 2012) bowling alley closed. It was, and still is, an emotional topic for me. It's where I spent a majority of my time with my Dad. It was his entire world. I was able to spend some time there and bowled in a tournament there before it closed, but there wouldn't be enough time in the world for me to be at peace with it closing the way it did. It makes me miss him more than I ever thought possible.
The end of July was a surreal experience. I still have a difficult time thinking back to it and realizing it even occurred. The friend who lost her husband unexpectedly in June, was diagnosed with cancer in mid-July, and died 11 days later. I continue to shake my head in disbelief that it even happened. She was one of my first friends that I made in Pittsfield. She was the one who wanted to bowl candlepins with me and was usually one of the first ones to wish me luck for my duckpin tournaments. She was an aunt to my boys. I miss her terribly and think about her every day.
With the way that July went down, I decided to try and make the best of August. I bowled in a tournament in Rhode Island (didn't win!), and decided to take a road trip with the boys to visit with some of my friends in Baltimore. They were looking forward to staying with their Auntie Kim and playing with her nephews all week. We had such a great time; we visited with so many people and my friends got to spend time with the boys which was so special for me. We have support from so many parts of my life that I think it's important that the boys get to appreciate all the love they have coming in.
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| road trip to Baltimore! |
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| duckpins in Baltimore |
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| Chuck E Cheese |
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| Auntie Kim has it under control! |
"There is a magnet in your heart that will attract true friends. That magnet is unselfishness, thinking of others first; when you learn to live for others, they will live for you. – Paramahansa Yogananda
