Happy Birthday Pops!

Today, my Pops would have celebrated his 56th Birthday. Today is just one more day that it all sets in (again) that he's gone. At 55 you should have been planning your next 50+ years ahead, but life, sadly, doesn't always give us what we plan for.

My brother, Pops and I in San Francisco

 Pops, because we can't celebrate you today like we used to (you know a new pair of shoes that also served as flashlights they were so bright, or making sure we went to dinner someplace that had porkchops on the menu, and of course we would stop for a soft serve ice cream cone on our way home) and because this year is much different and harder than we all expected, I just hope God is giving you the best birthday party you've ever had!

My Pops and friend Andrea. He loved Harley's.

It's still tough for me to grasp the fact that you aren't here and my next visit to Utah won't be complete because I won't get to see you. It's still tough hearing others talk about their dads and getting the chance to call them after work, or hang out with them on the weekends. It's still tough not hearing your voice, feeling your hugs, or planning our next father/daughter date. And most of all, today is really tough not being able to say, "Happy Birthday ... and many more!"

My Pops and friend Tuba. Caught them mid-laugh!

Your Birthday will never be the same, I wish I had a chance to visit you, I wish I could have one more phone call with you, and of course I wish this wasn't how life played out.

Today, I'll be celebrating you, the beautiful life you led, and of course treating myself to 2 ice cream cones - 1 for you and 1 for me :)

Happy Birthday Pops!

I love you and miss you,

Sweets

My Sweet 16!

Friday Fav - Survivor

Happy Friday!!! As I mentioned earlier this week, things have been pretty hectic in my world, but I definitely didn't want to skip today's Friday Fav. In a few short hours, I'll be picking up the boy and heading to the beach! This isn't a getaway filled with umbrella cocktails or polka-dot bikinis, but rather a weekend for one cause - breast cancer awareness! As most of you know, I work to fight this disease. Cancer is a b*tch, but when you're faced with it everyday through a loss or a survivor's story (my favorite), you fight really hard.

With the way this week has shaped up through Boston's tragedy, I was reminded once again how quickly our lives can take a turn for the worst. For an individual who has been diagnosed with cancer, this "tragedy" sets in a much different way. This individual is not only fighting a disease taking over their body, but this individual is fighting to stay alive. 

Friday Fav - Survivor 

Over the last 2 1/2 years, I have taken calls from supporters who want to donate, community members who want to give their time, educators who want to speak up about early-detection, and survivors who want to empower other women and men. Through each of these calls and stories, I learn so much more about this disease, what it takes from a person and their family/friends, and above the fight that each of them give. Over these last few years, I've seen what cancer can take away, but I've also seen what cancer can give. 

When you think about cancer, you might think about someone you know, chemotherapy, treatment after treatment, radiation, loss of appetite, loss of hair, next-to-nothing strength or energy, and the word cures. When I think about cancer, I think about the # of survivors out there providing a face of hope to this disease. I think about all they have been through (including those who have lost their battle) and all that they still fight for. I think about what cancer has taken from them, yet everything they have done to fight back.

As I get ready to be a part of one more Race for the Cure, I can't wait to watch the parade of survivors walk proudly and take in the crowd whose racing for their mothers, daughters, cousins, best friends, and for their own fight.

I hope you all have a great weekend, and remember there is always someone out there fighting their own battle, but at the end of the day they are a survivor! 

Lately ...

I can't believe how long it has been since I've been on here .... I mean missing TWO Friday Favs...yikes! As most of you know, life picks up at different times whether it's work or personal, and right now I really have a lot on my plate with working 2 jobs, hence the not being here situation. 

But, through the long days and stressful moments (also exciting moments), I have to remind myself to find a place where I can breathe and shake it all off.

Here are a few pictures I captured of where I find this place ...

Even in bumper-to-bumper traffic, the sun has a way of shining through.

Weekend  morning walks are the best. The streets are quiet, the birds are chirping,
and there isn't a phone ringing or email waiting for a reply.

And at night ... when I need to kick my feet up and close my eyes, I could care less if the TV is on,
but I need my candles. (Disregard the bats. He needed some boy flair.)

In a few short days, life will calm down and I'll have my mom in town. I am counting down!

Wednesday in Words

 

Source