Archive | April, 2008

The Sun Did Shine …

27 Apr

The first of Liz’s high school friends got married yesterday.  It was a joyous occasion for Anni and Nick and we felt so honored that we could be a part of it.

It was so fun to walk in the door of the Holiday Inn and be met with smiles and hugs from so many of Liz’s friends … “The Girls” as they call themselves.  Everyone seemed genuinely surprised that we came.  I suppose that is a natural reaction.  But it’s times like these when I just take Liz out of the equation … and focus on the happiness of her friends. 

Liz was definitely on the minds of each of “The Girls” though, and it was so lovely that they shared that with me.  The weather forecast predicted for yesterday sounded horrible for a wedding … snow, rain, cold … not exactly what you want … but as the day went on, the clouds cleared and the sun came out.

As we drove to the reception I thought to myself, “I’m so glad the weather turned out so much better than I thought it would.”  Then I heard that familiar voice in my head say to me, “I did that!”  It made me smile and I thanked Liz for doing that and for letting me know.

Missy came to me and we talked about her impending college graduation in a few days and then our conversation came around to the day and the weather.

“You know, she said, when I got up this morning, I asked Liz to please make it a sunny day for Anni —  and, I think she did.”  I smiled and told Missy of my little conversation with Liz on the way to the reception.  Liz had made her presence known and when Missy and I shared our common experience it was validation for both of us that it was true.

So, Roger and I had a drink, danced a few dances, hugged and caught up with Liz’s friends, and even took our turn in the photo booth!  It was a great night and the three of us were very happy!

De-Ja-Vu

5 Apr

I don’t know how to spell it … but that is what it is for me today …

I was so saddened to learn of another fatal off-campus house fire.  This one, at the University of Wisconsin-Stout.  Once again, the similarities between Liz’s fire and this one are hauntingly similar … early morning fire call, 2 girls and one guy … each found on the floor in their bedrooms … smoke inhalation … even the day was the same … a beautiful sunny Saturday. 

I recall that day  … the confusion, the complete and utter disbelief … the bargaining with God, the tiniest of hope that it wasn’t true … then amazingly the peace that washed over me when I learned it was … the media calling us, knocking on our door … wanting to talk to us … wanting to know … how did we feel …  I just wanted the craziness to end … I wanted to take a deep breath and for someone to say it was all just a big mistake … it wasn’t true … but it didn’t happen and very quickly reality stepped in.  What a difference a day can make.

I’ve come a long way since that fateful day … almost 5 years ago … but days like today bring it back.  Alot has happened in these years … and  I am stronger now than I have ever been … and my purpose now is to be there …  to reach out to those families and help them however I can.  They have become members of a club that shouldn’t exist … that you don’t get a choice on whether to join.

Please send light and love and most of all peace to those hurting families.