Smiles

I've shared how I am the eternal optimist and even though we are facing the saddest time of the year, the one year Angelversary of losing Josh, I can still look back over the last few months and find things that make me smile..some smiles from acts of kindness, some valiant acts of friendship and support, and some from the unbelievable and politically incorrect.  If you choose to read on, please do not take offense....sometimes politically incorrect is the only way to get through the tough times.

 

And in answer to the questions you want to ask but are afraid.  Yes, this is a very tough week already.  There is still so much numbness and the hurts come at unexpected times without warning.  There are so many great things happening in our daughters' lives that their brother is missing and so we are learning to ignore the heartwrenching pangs and truly smile at their happiness .  Life goes on at an incredible pace but we take it a bit slower since we are not functioning with full hearts, yet we are moving forward, we are striving to live on and love on!

 

Hugs,

Sherri

 

• I smile at the petite Irish chick who broke through the two burly police officers to get to my family.
• I smile at the memory of seeing one of the hardened burly police officers shed a tear when he thought noone was looking.
• I smile at the memory of the one who sat on the front porch with me as my heart laid shattered and my body in shock!
• I smile at the beautiful candlelit street and group of friends awaiting my family after so many came to pay respects and give hugs.
• I smile at the memory of Brad's good friend Paul strolling into our home ready to help in anyway.
• I smile at the memory of  our dear friends rushing to our aid and tripping over each other as they organized our house for the impending rush of loved ones.
• I smile at my beautiful girls who continue to amaze me.
• I smile at our families dropping everything to be with us.
• I smile at my daughters' friends who came to offer support and became distracted by"the hottie cousins" from out of town.
• I smile at all the faces I remember seeing as we laid our youngest to rest on a peaceful hill. 
• I smile at the huge amount of Thanksgiving food items that showed up in our kitchen by so many who put their needs behind ours on that special day.
• I smile at the sweet children who sat outside the parlor with tears streaming down their faces as they remembered my sweet boy..their friend.
• I smile at the sweet people who braved the snowy cold morning to walk for epilepsy.
• I smile at my brother who has a knack for showing up at my side whenever I need him.
• I smile at the memory of Stephanie meeting her new favorite disney princess at DisneyWorld.
• I smile at the old fat cat curling up next to my daughter to soothe her.
• I smile at the stupid stink bugs that Josh sends to his sisters on a regular basis.
• I smile at the day Brittany  received her senior school photos.
• I smile at the roommates who have come regularly to fill my cup and renew my spirit.
• I smile at the big husband of mine who has been so gentle and vulnerable and not afraid to show it.
• I smile at the fact that my big husband was faced with a life-threatening illness and came out a victor.
• I smile at the folks at work who do their best to protect me, make me laugh and lend me their shoulders without judgement.
• I smile at the memory of my sweet ornery little boy who loved life and lived it to the fullest.





Stephanie and Joshua at our favorite beach outside Athens.

 

My sweet Joshua, we LOVE you, MISS you, and LAUGH on for you!