Best Sister

They do most everything together. They are inseparable. By circumstance and by choice. What one gets, the other one gets. Be it a shirt, a new friend, a night out on the town or a cold. That's the only life they know. They wouldn't want it any other way. Earlier this week, M was given a super cool opportunity in FPAC's upcoming production of "Les Miserables." (On a side note, have you bought your tickets? If not - and you live locally - I can't imagine what you are waiting for. It is going to be amazing.) Anyway, I have to say that as much as watching and hearing M do her little bit in the show makes me want to cry, H's reaction to M's opportunity makes me want to cry more. Sure she's bummed. (She said so.) Sure she's jealous. (She said so.) But she's good with it. (She said so.) And she truly is. We told her that "it is what is is." All H needs to do is keep doin' what she's doin'. All M needs to do is keep doin' what she's doin'. Whatever happens in life - you just do what you do, do your best and know that at the end of the day, that's all that really matters. And as M does her little thing this weekend, there will be NO ONE in the audience rooting for M as much as "the sister" is. I can promise you that. These two. They're good little eggs.

Two and a Half Seconds

I learned a long time ago that taking a minute to chat with someone in passing, sending a quick note, or picking up the phone to tell someone you were thinking of them often makes a big difference - to everyone involved. Lord knows I don't do it enough but I know that I should. And doesn't that count for something? Yesterday, on facebook, a friend and I were going back and forth about how I found out that there was no Easter Bunny or Santa Claus. (I'm still holding out for The Tooth Fairy.) While I don't remember the details, I'm pretty sure that I found out through a casual converation at the bus stop. She flipped when she found out that she was the one that spoiled it for me. I assured her that there was no need to worry - especially considering I was, like, 22 (give or take a few years...) Anyway, her mom commented on the thread as below. This simply made my day to read it this morning. Now, any "normal" person would be tickled pink with the comment and end it at that. My mom, I'm sure, while thrilled at the comment, will immediately start to stress out - "oh God, my house isn't beautiful anymore! I have to do something! I have to make something! SO many people drive by. Do you think they think that it used to be really nice but now it's not? Tell me what needs to be changed!" And on and on and on. My poor dad. Anyway, here's what she said. "Hi Kim, your mom was amazing!! I remember your house on Halloween!!!! As well as all the other major Holidays! I was in awe, as was the rest of Franklin, I'm sure!!! I used to ride by on purpose. How could you not believe in the Easter Bunny or Santa when your house was practically magic!!!" LOVE. It was so nice of her to take the two and a half seconds to write it. It will make me smile for far longer than that.

To Have and To Hold

Forty-two years ago, the stars were aligned, the world was forever changed, and life as we (or at least I) know it began.

It actually happened years before that.  I don't even know how old they were when they first met.  Junior high?  I should know.  I think I'll have to ask - again. One of their best friends who remembers EVERYTHING is on vacation.  I'll have to have a sit down again and get the deets from her when she returns.

September 24, 1971 - my mom and dad got hitched.  He was 20.  She was 18.  Babes. 

One of my favorite stories is when my dad learned who my mom's father was. "Your dad is the guy who works down the alleys?"  "Yes.  Why?"  "Oh, no reason."
But I'm sure his face said it all.  He had given my grandfather (and countless others) grief for years, pushing the envelope "just enough".  Not so much to ever really get in trouble but enough to be a pain in the ass.  (They say you often marry someone like your father.  Um - yep.)

They were so young when I was born, most of their friends didn't have children for years.  For this reason (and maybe because I was an only child), I spent a lot of time with my parents and their friends while I was growing up.  These relationships are a huge part of who they are today.  These relationships are a huge part of who I am today, for that matter.  They are still friends with nearly everyone who was in their lives then.  This, I think, speaks to what incredible people they are.  If you are no longer in their lives for whatever reason, it's your bad.  Your loss.  You are truly a better person with these two by your side.  Just ask anyone.  You'll get the same response.

Their loyalty to their family and friends is unprecedented.  Their loyalty to each other is even greater.

For as long as I can remember, they have taught me (whether they realized it or not) how to be married.  Good, bad and otherwise, these folks know how to do it.  No one is perfect (although I surely pretend to be).  No one is right all time time.  (see previous statement) But they have figured it out.  They know how to do it.  I hope that G and I are able to teach H and M just as much as my parents have taught (and continue to teach) me.

They've been thrown some curveballs.  A big one a few weeks ago.  But true to form, they are figuring it out.  Together. 

Happy Anniversary to the best of the best. For reals.

Love,
Your favorite daughter

I Think

I think  - as much as I'm having a great day doing a little bit of this and a little bit of that my heart is heavy.
Kev.

I think - he is smiling, watching his buddies golf at the Kev King Memorial Free Pass Open, where they will laugh, remininisce, drink good beers, eat amazing food (thanks Nice Guy and Tim) and just be together.  His favorites.
Kev.

I think -  they will raise money today for his children, not because his children need it but because they don't know what else to do.
Kev.

I think - that as much fun as they all are having, they'd stop it all in a single breath to have him back. Even if for just one more minute.
Kev.

I think - when I saw his mom and dad last week, it was all I could do to not start bawling in the middle of the produce aisle.  (If that was fifteen minutes of the day when they weren't crying, I wasn't going to be the one who got them started.)  When I hugged his dad, it was the closest I'd gotten to the world famous Kev King hug in a few years.  I miss it.
Kev.

I think - his wife is the strongest person I know.  I am in awe of her. 
Kev.

I think - his parents and brother have a hole in their hearts that is unimaginable.  But they do it for him.
Kev.

I think - it is indescribable that his dear sweet children are so young.  It makes me so angry.  But he, of all people, wouldn't want us to be angry.
Kev.

I think - on my run today, my tears were a result of so many thoughts swirling in my mind thinking of him, it hurt me to think.
Kev.

I think - my husband, who is undoubtedly one of the goofiest folks around, thinks of him every day - every. single. day - and he will never get over this.
Kev.

I think - these guys, who would do anything for each other, know that of all of them, this loss is the biggest they'll ever have.
Kev.

I think - with every throw of the football, every swing of the wiffle ball bat and every baseball hat worn, he is with them.

I know -  they know - that today (and every day), he is with them.
Kev.

Keep Calm and ...

Pretty much.

Whistle While You Work

We have an ongoing joke at FSPA that I whistle all day, every day.  Clearly, working in the environment that I do, I hear a LOT of melodies in the course of a day.  I'm not even that impressive of a whistler.  But that definitely doesn't stop me.  I'm all about the whistle.  I whistle songs I hear coming from a piano.  I whistle songs that I hear coming from a cell phone ring.  I whistle dumb vocal warm-ups that aren't even real songs.  I whistle anything and everything I hear.  (Probably much to the dismay of my lovely office mate...)
 
I realized today, that I haven't whistled in over two weeks.  To many folks (okay to most folks) that wouldn't be that big of a deal.  But to me, it is.

Today, I whistled again.  I guess things are looking up in my world...

Baby steps.  Literally.

May, 2013

Our first run ever.  

Mother's Day, 2013

She is the strongest lady I know.

Oh, and please ignore the fact that my thigh is twice as big as her's.  

I'm a little fragile these days. 

Thanks.