Do you remember the feeling you had on December 31, 1999. The world had been talking about it for months. The new Millennium. What was it that everyone was afraid of. . . Y2K? Do you remember? Apparently something with the computer/internet system was expected to go really wrong and apparently the world was going to end or something like that.
I still remember standing outside at an event in a city near ours. I remember shivering violently in the cold temperatures and burying myself into Chad as we watched nervously as the clock ticked down 5-4-3-2-1- HAPPY NEW YEAR! And for a moment it seemed that the crowd stopped and looked around just to make sure. . . is everything okay?
Turns out it was. The transition happened uneventfully.
That is a little bit how things were yesterday. For months I’d been anticipating the day that marks my 365th day without my Mom. I wondered what it would be like. I wondered if I would remember every moment of that day a year ago. I wondered if I would hurt. If I would be sad. If I would be angry.
Turns out. . . I just was.
I was given the gift of some time alone and I took a peak back. I spent time reading my journal entries from that terrible week and looking through the pictures. I required myself to look back. To think about it. To remember.
I remember wondering how I was going to do it. I knew that life from that day forward would be different. I knew all of us would be different. . . I knew our family would be different. I just didn’t know how.
We marched through the motions of that week overcome with grief and overwhelmed by love poured out from every direction. We did all we knew how to
do. . .we put one foot in front of the other.
One year later I can absolutely say I found “Okay” again.
Hitting the year mark is like reaching the finish line of a marathon. There have been moments of deep pain and moments of exhilarating joy and I have no doubt that many more are to come. But on this day I stand side by side with my family and I feel proud knowing that we did it. We survived.
As I look over the year I am very aware that a different person has emerged out of the ashes of that day. Somehow, losing my Mom made me less fearful. It brought me to a place where I am more ready to risk. I’ve come to learn that I’m not as fragile and breakable as I thought I was. It brought me face to face with the choice I had to just live life or to live with intention.
I find myself wondering if these things would have happened without such a tragedy. I find myself wishing she could see it. Wishing she could see the woman I’m becoming.
As I kiss this year good-bye, I do so knowing that life will continue to be different. Every joyful moment will bring with it a slight shadow where her voice, her smile, her enthusiasm, and her love should have been. Happy moments will produce bitter-sweet tears because her absence is blaring and it always will be. . . because we loved her that much.
Today I’m raising my hands and declaring a big fat “I did it”, because I did. However, I did not take one step of it alone. Oh, my heart is so thankful for the family and friends and new blogger friends who have reached out to me over this year. I am filled with gratitude for the outpouring of love I’ve received from emails, texts, cards, Facebook and blog comments. Thank you to all of you who continue to walk beside me and fill me with confidence that everything truly will be okay.
With all of you. . . I did it.
crying with you, for you, alongside you – tears of sadness and pride. love you, friend.
I'm crying right along with you. You are an amazing person, Summer. Amazing. I'm so proud of you for not only surviving this tragedy, but doing so with (what seems) grace.
And your mom can see how strong you are. I'm certain she's watching you from above and beaming with pride over the woman you've become.
Oh.
Oh.
Oh.
You did it.
Love you.
O Summer you were in my thoughts all day yesterday just as you have been this past year. I still remember where I was when Char texted me. I still remember coming to calling hours of the hugs and kisses of you and and your children. How CC loved the flowers:) I am so proud of you!!! You can do anything Summer!! You are not fragile and breakable but strong!! You have overcome and grown into an even more beautiful woman than you were. Thank you for your honesty. It just stinks that we all have to face things we don't want to. But we have GOD and our family and friends. God has walked beside you each step you took and will continue to do so. Love you Sweetie.
🙂
Summ,
You are so strong. Your journey is impacting so many people. I love the vulnerability in your blog.
PS~ The picture of you and Charlie made me tear up!