Hi Dean,
It has been a little while since I have written. I figure you are hanging around and know what is going on most of the time, but I also guess it is alright sometimes just to REALLY talk to you.
It’s been five months since you passed. Seems crazy to say that… five months. Seems like such a long time, and yet, for the last couple of days it seems like it has not been really that long at all.
The kids are doing pretty well. Michael is moving along with his studies in his own way, he played Bari in his last concert. Lloyd is headed to district swim on both the GMHS and the YMCA teams. Michael has several swimmers on the YMCA team that made districts this year, so I know he is a very proud coach. Especially proud that one of those is his brother. You know, Lloyd swims the 500 yard faster when Michael is changing the cards for him and yelling … there is SOMETHING about that brother bond.
Lloyd got his official papers from the Penn State Beherend Engineering department solidifying his acceptance into that program. I am still having trouble comprehending that he is a senior this year.
I had the exit IEP meeting for him and the entrance IEP meeting at the elementary school for Galen all on the same day. They are going to make sure Galen gets the support he needs to start out and are even setting up some extra counseling with him to stay even. He really, really is doing so much better. He has a HUGE heart. He still really feels your absence. Shows up in all kind of ways. The other day he insisted that it was time to make a blueberry pie, daddy’s favorite pie. He remembers things you have told him, and really thinks you are coming home when the flowers return after all this lovely wet snow we have been having. He is also getting pretty particular about some things… and has an incredible math brain… sound familiar?
Cian is still a little stink. Stubborn, Stubborn .. and a little cutie all at the same time. He loves taking pictures. I let him have the little purple camera to himself and that is “his” camera. Really, he has a good eye. His musical tastes are becoming more and more diverse. Often tells me when I need to change to a song he appreciates better or when one needs to be “turned up.”
Both the little ones really, really look up to the big boys. The big boys help out a lot. They took Cian to swim practice with them the other night when he was just crying for attention in every negative way possible and Galen and I cranked the music and cleaned the house. They both got some individualized attention that way.
Galen so wanted to be like Lloyd tonight that he got his head shaved with all the high school boys on the district swim team.
I feel you here. I know you are involved with the kids, I know you are happy with how they are doing. I know you are helping every chance you get.
As for myself, I am trying. Really… some days I am too busy, other days I make sure I am too busy. I really, really try and stay present for the kids. Does not seem to matter what age they are, I need to be sure I take the time. It is nice, though. I know what is going on with them, and it is kind of nice they want to spend the time doing things together, even if it is just sitting and watching a movie or cleaning or making dinner.
I know you helped with those Bon Jovi Tickets. How could you not with the concert being in Columbus. I promise to have lots and lots of fun 🙂 Of course I am not going to have someone making sure I don’t fall off the chair I am standing on at this concert .. but it will be fun none the less. I guess it is about time I just went and did something fun like that. The last concert we went to was October 2011. So, it is overdue.
Keep pushing me. Between the studio opening and the training to be able to do the Warrior Dash and the 5K with the boys …. and just day to day stuff… I need pushed sometimes. Or even one of your smart ass comments would be welcome.
I miss you. Every day. Some days way more than others. Especially days when I have to go to parent meetings and …well…. you are missed.
Loving you, Jenn