Summer 2009

There are a few versions of this summer...the one we planned for and the one that met us at the door. I can't write it all out together. There is so much to say to the people I love and I can't quite mesh all the conflicting thoughts together. I thought time would help me gain perspective, but alas I feel if I wait to long I will loose the vivid colors of each moment I want to pay homage to. So here is a blog in pieces for the sisters I love.

For Sarah...
There has never been a cooler bride nor will there ever be again. When others might have gone bridezilla nuts, you never took yourself to seriously and never expected your friends to be anything but themselves. Your sense of humor was never lost even when our whole caravan got lost on the way to the hotel going in different directions. It was just another fabulous adventure to share. You and Adam brought tears to my eyes as you said your vows and standing next to your new sister in law gave me the comfort of knowing how much you are loved in this new family the two of you have brought together. For everything from learning to walk down spiral stairs in heels and a ball gown to meeting Ken in the middle of the rehearsal by saying "Hi, I'm Jess. Nice Charlie Brown shirt." I thank you. It was wonderful and unforgettable and I am above and beyond grateful for being able to take part and bear witness. I love you.
Oh, and you can take pride in knowing that of all the bouquet's I've "caught," yours was the one that came to me without deliberate encouragement. :)

For Jackie...
My dearest Jacks, I learned more about our friendship and how important you are to me this summer than in all the time we lived together. I just wanted to wrap my arms around you and never let go, but I know that isn't your style and our geographical challenges make that a bit complicated. In that weekend in the midst of wedding frivolity there were moments when a conversation would lull, or there would be a pause that was just slightly to long and in that moment I knew that's were you belonged. Missing you and loving you and knowing you weren't with us because you were facing the hardest saddest days of your life made me ache and I can't quite find all the words I need to say to you. All I know is that I never knew how much I leaned on you and depended on you until you weren't there and I hope you know that you can lean on me every now and then too. I love you bebe.

For Dano...
On the surface I suppose we may look like we have the least in common of the four of us. I guess I've always seen it that way, but in this summer of joy and grief I was glad to have you to take the journey with. It's funny, but looking back we have spent the least amount of time together, but those simple plain things we share in common were the greatest comfort to me this summer. We know grief and we know it from similar places, neither of us are very keen on driving in unknown places at night and make up isn't on the top of any skill list that would be attributed to us. This and so much more made me so glad to have you by my side. You made me laugh harder, and stay braver and when I was silent you and you alone knew why. Thanks for being my sidekick in an impossible situation of conflicts. You held me together and made me stand on my own and never let me forget to laugh. I love you, pal.