Let's start sad, and end happy.
Today is a day of bittersweet happenings. A year ago today, the world lost not one, but two, wonderful, generous, beautiful women.
One of my good friends and college roommate of 4 years lost her mother from a heart attack. Mary was much too young and one of the most generous and caring women I knew. Mary would always make it a point to get to Radford when she was on business trips, and she would always come ready to listen to our roommate drama, stresses from school, and we would ALWAYS go to Macado's for delicious food. She was my second mom when we were in school.
The last time I saw Mary was at my bridal shower. The next thing I know, I'm out getting ready to celebrate Ashley's Bachelorette party when Cody calls as I hear Kendall screaming and crying in the background. He told me Mary had just had a heart attack and Kendall wouldn't be coming out. I stayed in touch with Kendall for the week long struggles her mom had after the attack.
She passed away a year ago today and I know there isn't a day that goes by that Kendall, Kesley, or Wilson that they don't think of her. Mary was Kendall's best friend, and I know it's still so hard for them.
Eyerly's and Swanns - know that I'm thinking of you guys today and you're in my thoughts and prayers. Mary will always have a place in my heart and I KNOW she's in Heaven watching over us safely. We love and miss you, Mary.
On top of Mary leaving with the angels last year, Barbara Dungan left us a year ago today too. Barbara was my mother-in-law's mother, and she was a very sweet woman. I had the opportunity to meet her in Arizona 2 years ago, and she's probably one of the sweetest ladies you could meet. When I met her, she was continuing a very hard fight with cancer. She was in such good spirits, and I could see it in her eyes how happy she was to have her family surrounding her, and how excited to she was to meet her and see the lady who was going to marry her grandson.
After I met her, she continued to get a little weaker and weaker. She wasn't going to be able to take the flight to Maryland for our wedding, so we began to plan a way to videotape the wedding so she could watch it live. Unfortunately, she passed a month before our wedding. She also passed away on Kim's (Ryan's mom) birthday.
Barbara and Levi raised 3 wonderful daughters. Grandpa Levi is very much around and active, and I know that him and his 3 daughters, Debbie, LeeAnn, and Kim will celebrate the life of Barbara today.
Dungan's & Hibbard's - I'm thinking of all of you today, and I know she's watching over us pain-free and probably so happy to see everyone is doing so well right now. We all wish we had more time with her. We love you, Grandma Dungan!
I'm so, so glad I had the chance to meet her, and I know that she's in Heaven wishing Kim a very Happy Birthday.
This leads me to the happy.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KIM!!!!!!!!! :)
Ryan is in TN right now because him and his dad, Ron, surprised Kim for her birthday. I wasn't able to come because of work, but I know Kim is so happy to have a weekend with her son and cook for everyone :)
Again, it's a bittersweet day, but I hope that Kim has the best birthday ever and is surrounded by love and happiness!!! I love you and I wish I could be there to help celebrate!
Thanks Ainsilie -- that was very sweet. And . . .Mom was so pleased to meet you and very much enjoyed getting to know you when you were in AZ. She was very happy for both you and Ryan -- and looking forward to coming to your wedding. Although she wasn't there in person . . . I know she was there in spirit.
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