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Patriot Days
Apr. 21st, 2015 08:21 pmThe three kids of my immediate family have created three kids of the next generation: our Emily, and Sandy's two daughters, now both in their forties, have given us two grand-nieces and a grand-nephew. We're rather distant geographically- the older one in Florida, her sister in Connecticut- but they, especially Michele, are closest to me in age, in disposition, and in shared memories to have always gotten along. Both had to deal with the death of their mother while they were still in their teens, and then with the dual heartbreaks of their father remarrying and then fighting a long battle with cancer.
They both now have kids of their own-and are making their own, new memories.
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Yesterday, Michele posted this- from a minor league stadium near Palm Beach:
Her comment on posting it yesterday was just as inspiring:
If I can do it, anyone can do it... I was the kid who never raised a hand in class, couldn't get the solo in chorus, and was afraid to speak up in meetings. This one's for all our brave servicemen and servicewomen fighting to protect the land of the free and the home of the brave. God bless.
I was a lot like "the kid" she's describing, which just makes the bond between us stronger than blood.
----
Yesterday also brought sadder recollections from her sister Nicole, who was reminded, as she will every Boston Marathon race day, of how bad things were in 2013 and how much worse they could have been:
Hard to believe its been two years....I was looking for a picture and came across my status update and felt it appropriate to share....the Boston Marathon has been such a big part of our life and our running community....tonight, to see all the success stories throughout Facebook and on the news....it leaves me with continued hope that with some of the most unimaginable tragedy, the best in people come out and the strength and perseverance that one might have never thought they had can shine through...
Her husband ran that race; she and their son were at that finish line, blessedly way ahead of the time selected by the madmen for more crowd and fewer eyes on them as the larger group of slower runners took the worst of it. I knew they were there that day; word of the bombing reached me during a deposition, and I worried fiercely until I finally saw this that day:
( Read more... )
The "share of tragedy" to which she refers is Mark having been one of the first responders at Sandy Hook barely four months earlier. They have since moved (fairly close within the same area), and their son has started school, which must come with even more separation anxiety for all concerned than it always has.
----
We are not a big family, or especially close-knit. But ours is a love that has endured much- and always will.
They both now have kids of their own-and are making their own, new memories.
----
Yesterday, Michele posted this- from a minor league stadium near Palm Beach:
Her comment on posting it yesterday was just as inspiring:
If I can do it, anyone can do it... I was the kid who never raised a hand in class, couldn't get the solo in chorus, and was afraid to speak up in meetings. This one's for all our brave servicemen and servicewomen fighting to protect the land of the free and the home of the brave. God bless.
I was a lot like "the kid" she's describing, which just makes the bond between us stronger than blood.
----
Yesterday also brought sadder recollections from her sister Nicole, who was reminded, as she will every Boston Marathon race day, of how bad things were in 2013 and how much worse they could have been:
Hard to believe its been two years....I was looking for a picture and came across my status update and felt it appropriate to share....the Boston Marathon has been such a big part of our life and our running community....tonight, to see all the success stories throughout Facebook and on the news....it leaves me with continued hope that with some of the most unimaginable tragedy, the best in people come out and the strength and perseverance that one might have never thought they had can shine through...
Her husband ran that race; she and their son were at that finish line, blessedly way ahead of the time selected by the madmen for more crowd and fewer eyes on them as the larger group of slower runners took the worst of it. I knew they were there that day; word of the bombing reached me during a deposition, and I worried fiercely until I finally saw this that day:
( Read more... )
The "share of tragedy" to which she refers is Mark having been one of the first responders at Sandy Hook barely four months earlier. They have since moved (fairly close within the same area), and their son has started school, which must come with even more separation anxiety for all concerned than it always has.
----
We are not a big family, or especially close-knit. But ours is a love that has endured much- and always will.