An Only Child with Siblings

That's me.

I am my mother's only child, and was raised as such.

I am the oldest of my father's 3 children, and spent some of my vacation time with him and his family.

Not uncommon, I'm sure, but still- a paradox:

I am an only child. And yet I have 2 siblings (whom I love oodles and oodles).


'splains a lot, huh?

No Waaaay!

My sister is visiting from Atlanta, for my birthday.

Last night we went to a taping of Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me!, one of our favorite NPR shows.

And guess who won Carl Kassell's voice on her answering machine?!

Adam Savage from Myth Busters played "Not My Job" and he got all the answers right.

He was playing for me! Woo HOO!

Gigantic thanks to my sister for getting them to put my name as the potential winner.

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Happy Birthday to Me!

Scary

A good friend of mine is very, very ill. Less than a year ago she was diagnosed with Mantle Cell Lymphoma. In December she had a bone marrow transplant. Apparently, the cancer is "back." Less than a week ago, she was told that she has "weeks" to live.

Here's what is scary.
On Saturday we visited for a long time. She was lucid and responsive and we talked at length.
On Sunday she was clearly less responsive but certainly lucid and aware of her surroundings.
On Monday she was none of those things. At all. None.
Yesterday she was sleeping when I saw her.
Today she was more responsive, but I honestly fear that days like Saturday are gone.

I'm heartbroken. For her. For her family. For those of us who are her friends.

82-51

My Carolina women walked all over Duke today.

Beautiful.

Happy Valentine's Day

Why Blog (a Public Thank You)

The simple answer:
'cuz I wanna.

The real answer:
Because my mom died. Suddenly and unexpectedly. And my heart is completely and utterly broken.
(read: It's an outlet- paper journaling has been big in my life, but it's not working right now. So maybe this will.)

Because I know that I am loved and well cared for. By amazing people- lots of 'em. And I need to remind myself of that.

Because those folks need to know that even in the midst of my (on-going) grief, I recognize and am grateful, even when I don't say so.

Because 6 weeks after traveling to help me celebrate turning 40, my friends traveled to help me bury my mom. Hundreds of miles. For one: thousands of miles the first time, then sent her mom since she couldn't travel all the way across the country again so soon.

Now that's love.

And this is what love looks like: