Reflecting on 2017

As most do, I have been reflecting on the past year. It has been a tearful reflection. The majority of the first 7 months was a blur. I enjoyed some exciting milestones, I enjoyed some firsts – making wonderful memories, I shed several tears, suffered significant pain but most importantly I navigated into year 2 of my grief journey and have learned so much about myself, what I want in life and what I truly deserve.

In this post I will focus on some of the special memories that I was blessed to be a part of this past year…….

• I went to Vegas for the 1st time with my beautiful friend, Chris
• While in Vegas we both jumped off the Stratosphere (108 stories) – one of my biggest fears conquered, heights
• My beautiful niece, Cayla, graduated High School
• Gracie joined my family just one day shy of Mother’s Day
• One of my best friends, Megan, married the love of her life
• Jeffrey won the Henderson, Junior Division
• Jeffrey also made his very first tournament Eagle

I could ramble on about several other things that made an impact on me in 2017, but the ones that I’ve listed are of most significance.

Tonight, as each of you ring in the New Year, celebrating with loved ones that are here – take a brief moment to remember loved ones in which we have lost. Those loved ones are a huge part of our journey and just because they aren’t standing next to you to toast the new year, or across town and able to text, call or Snapchat you with a “Happy New Year” message – doesn’t mean they are gone from our hearts. I know that I would love to receive a text tonight, like I did on January 1, 2016 saying “Happy New Year, I love you sissy”.