Loving Lisa 13 years

Today Lisa would have turned 13.  I made a promise to myself that every year on this date I would make sure to spend it honoring Lisa and remembering what she taught us in her short time with us.

At her young age she knew how to live in the moment and she made every day count.  I am guilty of not doing this most days as I let work, money, aches, pains, worry nip away at the precious hours.  But on this day, I STOP doing my normal and use this day to just BE and live life and honor Lisa.  I seek to just "go somewhere" and take pleasure in the "going" as she would have.  It is my day to be spontaneous and let go of time and honor my child who lived life fully and who we miss daily.  As today unfolds I will see where Lisa takes me.  Happy Birthday Lisa.  Love You Lisa.

11:20 PM Update--As this day comes to an end just thought I would share a "day in the life of Lisa" ---Brunch with the family---followed by some reading and long lazy nap---followed by a tattoo in Lisa's honor (finally!)---dinner with some of Lisa's favorite people:)

PS. Tomorrow starts Childhood Cancer Awareness month please remember to wear gold!

May 19, 2017

4 years ago Lisa left us.  4 years and the approach of 5/19 still causes me anxiety.  While she is never far from my thoughts knowing that this was THE day it all ended brings all the questions, fears, despair rushing back.  It is one of the few days that I will let my walls down and let the pain seep in and through me.   Mike and I have been able to use this day to honor Lisa and try to approach the day as she would have....looking for somewhere to "just go", no plans, no expectations, just be alive and live life fully. 

Earlier this week an unexpected email from Sean of Mott's Development Team provided us the perfect opportunity to remember Lisa.  He wanted to thank us for our support of Mott Children’s Hospital and talk about our prior fundraising efforts.  We were able to arrange to meet today.  Our conversation was a great way to share memories of Lisa.  The conversation meandered around many topics including a new camp for children with chronic and life-threatening health challenges in the Pinckney area.  The  discovery of a new camp provided the perfect opportunity to "just go". Once Mike and I finished up the conversation we headed out to the camp.

It was totally spontaneous and seemed exactly like something Lisa would have loved.  Our drive to see the camp turned into a full tour as our timing coincided with a volunteer training day.   It was a very gratifying way to spend the afternoon and live life.

Thank you to Sean for suggesting we meet and telling us about the camp, thank you to North Star Reach for allowing us to spend the afternoon seeing the fantastic place you have built for children, thank you to everyone who sent us warm thoughts today.

Love You Lisa.  Miss You Lisa.