No, I haven't abandoned my blog. I was stuck for a few days unable to bring myself to write. In retrospect I think it was avoiding having to feel. It's painful and I just didn't want to go there.
I spent a couple of days preparing for my trip to Omaha. I arrived Friday and have settled in for my visit.
I don't know if I mentioned this in a prior post but friends and classmates of Justin have scheduled a Celebration of Life and a birthday party in this city where he was raised. It will take place on August 31st, a day after what would have been his 35th birthday.
I am so touched and honored by the number of people putting this together and am so appreciative of the hard work and am warmed by their drive and dedication to honor and remember my son. In addition they are going above and beyond my expectations by raising funds for Justin's two young sons. The community support has been incredible. Their donations continue to come in.
My son would not have ever anticipated any of this and would have been very humbled by it. But he would have been so very grateful by the generosity of so many.
It has driven home again how many lives he touched and made better by his calm manner, vivid sense of humor and intrinsic love of his fellow man. I love the man you turned out to be, Son and I will be forever grateful to those who are making this event come to fruition.
Monday, August 19, 2013
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Diaper Box Derby
I've taken the past couple of days to recoup from an emotional roller coaster ride. I feel relatively calm today and have a story to share with you.
As I mentioned before Justin was the oldest, followed by Brandon, then Maggie; all two and a half years apart.
One cold winter morning I was working in the kitchen listening to the kids play in the living room happy that they were entertaining each other with a very large diaper box.
Maggie was between 1-2, Brandon 3-4 and Justin 5-6.
I was at the kitchen sink which was situated a few steps from the stairway that led to the basement.
Before I knew it the boys had Maggie in the diaper box, which looked remarkably like a soap box derby car. The next thing I remember the boys were at the top of the stairs ready to give Maggie a ride down the staircase. In a panic I ran, seemingly in slow motion, to the top of the stairs to stop them but it was too late. They had just given her the needed acceleration for her trip down the steps.
The boys were laughing and Maggie was squealing with delight as she traveled down the stairs in her makeshift car.
There was just one problem; the sudden stop at the bottom. It was quite a jolt and Maggie's squeals of delight turned into tears of fright. The boys were suddenly silent.
The saving grace in this situation was the square of carpeting on which Maggie landed, cushioning her fall.
The diaper box held up remarkably well until I destroyed it after consoling Maggie and swatting the boys' hind ends with the infamous wooden spoon then sending them to their rooms.
Looking back it was a little humorous but still frightening.
I was so close to them but, darn, those little ones are fast!
Another crisis diverted and another memory under the belt.
As I mentioned before Justin was the oldest, followed by Brandon, then Maggie; all two and a half years apart.
One cold winter morning I was working in the kitchen listening to the kids play in the living room happy that they were entertaining each other with a very large diaper box.
Maggie was between 1-2, Brandon 3-4 and Justin 5-6.
I was at the kitchen sink which was situated a few steps from the stairway that led to the basement.
Before I knew it the boys had Maggie in the diaper box, which looked remarkably like a soap box derby car. The next thing I remember the boys were at the top of the stairs ready to give Maggie a ride down the staircase. In a panic I ran, seemingly in slow motion, to the top of the stairs to stop them but it was too late. They had just given her the needed acceleration for her trip down the steps.
The boys were laughing and Maggie was squealing with delight as she traveled down the stairs in her makeshift car.
There was just one problem; the sudden stop at the bottom. It was quite a jolt and Maggie's squeals of delight turned into tears of fright. The boys were suddenly silent.
The saving grace in this situation was the square of carpeting on which Maggie landed, cushioning her fall.
The diaper box held up remarkably well until I destroyed it after consoling Maggie and swatting the boys' hind ends with the infamous wooden spoon then sending them to their rooms.
Looking back it was a little humorous but still frightening.
I was so close to them but, darn, those little ones are fast!
Another crisis diverted and another memory under the belt.
Monday, August 5, 2013
Time
I'm feeling a bit stuck today. It's difficult to get interested in anything, even my writing.
It's Justin's birth month and the memories from 35 years ago are flooding back. I'll spare you the details of that last month and simply post something a sympathetic friend sent me.
It's Justin's birth month and the memories from 35 years ago are flooding back. I'll spare you the details of that last month and simply post something a sympathetic friend sent me.
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Tribute to Justin Thomas
For the past week I have kept things light telling you stories from the childhood years. I hope you've enjoyed those because there will be more.
Last night my husband, Don, presented me with this beautiful audio/video mix. It isn't intended to bring anyone down. It is of a bond between mother and son, but if you are a sensitive soul you may want to have a tissue handy.
I urge you to sit back, relax and reflect on my son's wonderful life.
Thank you for being loyal readers.
Justin Thomas Tribute
Last night my husband, Don, presented me with this beautiful audio/video mix. It isn't intended to bring anyone down. It is of a bond between mother and son, but if you are a sensitive soul you may want to have a tissue handy.
I urge you to sit back, relax and reflect on my son's wonderful life.
Thank you for being loyal readers.
Justin Thomas Tribute
Saturday, August 3, 2013
A Driven Young Man
Let me preface this post by acknowledging that all parents think their child is exceptional. That being said I have examples of my perception of Justin's abilities.
As a very young child he was labeled gifted. He attended college classes in the summers between kindergarten and first grade and first grade and second grade. He was a bit hyperactive so he only enjoyed the parts of the classes when they could go outside. He wasn't a sitter...ever.
He was also a perfectionist. When he set his mind on something he would give it everything he had.
I wrote the other day about his dedication to family and to soccer.
As he got older he set his mind to being a stand up comedian. He was very good at it. He performed at the Ramada Inn for several weeks until he succumbed to the pressure of being funny on cue and not feeling he was the best. He competed against himself.
His first MOS in the Army was a Medic. His knowledge was outstanding but was in the Reserves at the time. His required weekends were spent at sporting events waiting in the ambulance for casualties from the games. There were few. He needed to be needed so he changed his MOS, attended a second boot camp, switching to Infantry. He progressed rapidly through the rigors with his eye on special forces. It was challenging enough to keep him focused and as written in an earlier post he did become a Green Beret.
After a tour in Iraq he got the opportunity to apply what he'd learned. It was an honor and fulfilling for him to serve his country.
When he left the Army he turned his interest to music. He taught himself to play the guitar. I had sent one to him in Iraq so he had a little bit of a head start. His need to be the best drove him to start writing songs; good songs. His first one that I'll always cherish is "She Cried" that he wrote for
me. It was written in the car from the airport to home. He eventually recorded it. She Cried
He would go on with his band to prolifically write others and record them. The band was very good and fulfilled his love of music but there was so much more he wanted to do.
During his military years he had longed to be a helicopter pilot. His dream would have to wait a few more years, though, but he did successfully complete the program. He had a love of teaching and excelled as an instructor. Looking through his flight bag was like taking a trip to a helicopter library. Anything you would want to know about helicopters, flying them and teaching was left perfectly organized and cataloged.
Another star in the sky he was reaching for was the fixed wing ratings. With his usual zest he completed all but the last phase; the certified Flight Instructor Instrument. His plan was to have that completed around now, the end of summer.
So after reading this do you agree with me that he truly was an exceptional son?
He was gifted, athletic, driven, humorous with a love and devotion to family and to his dreams.
He is still plucking stars from the sky. He's just a little closer to them now.
As a very young child he was labeled gifted. He attended college classes in the summers between kindergarten and first grade and first grade and second grade. He was a bit hyperactive so he only enjoyed the parts of the classes when they could go outside. He wasn't a sitter...ever.
He was also a perfectionist. When he set his mind on something he would give it everything he had.
I wrote the other day about his dedication to family and to soccer.
As he got older he set his mind to being a stand up comedian. He was very good at it. He performed at the Ramada Inn for several weeks until he succumbed to the pressure of being funny on cue and not feeling he was the best. He competed against himself.
His first MOS in the Army was a Medic. His knowledge was outstanding but was in the Reserves at the time. His required weekends were spent at sporting events waiting in the ambulance for casualties from the games. There were few. He needed to be needed so he changed his MOS, attended a second boot camp, switching to Infantry. He progressed rapidly through the rigors with his eye on special forces. It was challenging enough to keep him focused and as written in an earlier post he did become a Green Beret.
After a tour in Iraq he got the opportunity to apply what he'd learned. It was an honor and fulfilling for him to serve his country.
When he left the Army he turned his interest to music. He taught himself to play the guitar. I had sent one to him in Iraq so he had a little bit of a head start. His need to be the best drove him to start writing songs; good songs. His first one that I'll always cherish is "She Cried" that he wrote for
me. It was written in the car from the airport to home. He eventually recorded it. She Cried
He would go on with his band to prolifically write others and record them. The band was very good and fulfilled his love of music but there was so much more he wanted to do.
During his military years he had longed to be a helicopter pilot. His dream would have to wait a few more years, though, but he did successfully complete the program. He had a love of teaching and excelled as an instructor. Looking through his flight bag was like taking a trip to a helicopter library. Anything you would want to know about helicopters, flying them and teaching was left perfectly organized and cataloged.
Another star in the sky he was reaching for was the fixed wing ratings. With his usual zest he completed all but the last phase; the certified Flight Instructor Instrument. His plan was to have that completed around now, the end of summer.
So after reading this do you agree with me that he truly was an exceptional son?
He was gifted, athletic, driven, humorous with a love and devotion to family and to his dreams.
He is still plucking stars from the sky. He's just a little closer to them now.
Friday, August 2, 2013
"Naggie"
Remembering Justin puts me in mind of Maggie. She was the youngest of my three. Justin, the oldest and Brandon in the middle.
She was a delightful little girl. She had a take charge attitude right from the beginning. Her brothers lovingly dubbed her "Naggie." She tried keeping them in line, as much as a 3 year old can. She got tired of Justin taking off his tops and dropping them on the floor.
She put her hands on her hips and in her most authoritative voice said, "Juttin, pick up yoah shoaht and put it in da yaundry." Her brothers laughed it off so in a huff she picked up his shirt and put it in the hamper. Task completed for the little mother hen.
I've never figured this one out but she would hold onto the salt shaker at dinner time. We would have to go through her if we wanted salt but it had to be promptly returned to her to hold in her little chubby hand. It was probably her way of cheerfully asserting herself.
When she got older she's the one who reminded the boys of important dates like Mother's Day and Father's Day. Without her those days would not have gone so well. She was very thoughtful and made sure they were too.
She would have made an excellent nurse, lovingly nagging her patients back to health. I miss her gentle, consistent reminders.
My living son, Brandon, said it best, "She was an angel."
I couldn't agree more.
She was a delightful little girl. She had a take charge attitude right from the beginning. Her brothers lovingly dubbed her "Naggie." She tried keeping them in line, as much as a 3 year old can. She got tired of Justin taking off his tops and dropping them on the floor.
She put her hands on her hips and in her most authoritative voice said, "Juttin, pick up yoah shoaht and put it in da yaundry." Her brothers laughed it off so in a huff she picked up his shirt and put it in the hamper. Task completed for the little mother hen.
I've never figured this one out but she would hold onto the salt shaker at dinner time. We would have to go through her if we wanted salt but it had to be promptly returned to her to hold in her little chubby hand. It was probably her way of cheerfully asserting herself.
When she got older she's the one who reminded the boys of important dates like Mother's Day and Father's Day. Without her those days would not have gone so well. She was very thoughtful and made sure they were too.
She would have made an excellent nurse, lovingly nagging her patients back to health. I miss her gentle, consistent reminders.
My living son, Brandon, said it best, "She was an angel."
I couldn't agree more.
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Best Years of My Life
One of my fondest memories and hopefully my children's was the years I coached their soccer teams. I didn't look like a coach at practices, coming straight from work in my skirts and heels. Yes, we wore those way back when.
The difference in the way girls and boys viewed practices and games was very interesting to me. The boys were always more focused and interested in going after their opponents than the girls. The girls were more interested in how they looked, if their hair ties were just right and clumping together giggling over something or nothing. Sometimes it took two blows of the whistle to get their attention and start them on their drills. Once they got going it was easy to see how talented they were. Maggie was petite but had a very strong leg. She was given the job of corner kicks, clearing kicks and if it worked out right, penalty kicks. She wasn't the most talented girl on the team but she was my star, in private.
I started coaching Justin's teams when they were a bit older, around the 10-12 age range. I continued until the boys made junior varsity. I didn't last as long with the girls. Maggie had switched to basketball and was very good at it.
Justin's team rosters changed from season to season but the core members remained the same and I formed a deep attachment to them.
Justin was a very good, versatile player. He played goalie for a while, then midfielder, then wing; usually left wing as he was naturally left footed. When a player reaches the front line they are often referred to as garbage men because they take passes from other players and turn them into goals. He was a passionate player giving it his all like he did with everything in life. His fellow team members were just as focused on their games which led to many successful seasons and trophies.
It was difficult balancing work, coaching and attending Brandon's soccer games and Maggie's basketball games but something I would have never missed for the world.
Looking back, those were the best years of my life.
The difference in the way girls and boys viewed practices and games was very interesting to me. The boys were always more focused and interested in going after their opponents than the girls. The girls were more interested in how they looked, if their hair ties were just right and clumping together giggling over something or nothing. Sometimes it took two blows of the whistle to get their attention and start them on their drills. Once they got going it was easy to see how talented they were. Maggie was petite but had a very strong leg. She was given the job of corner kicks, clearing kicks and if it worked out right, penalty kicks. She wasn't the most talented girl on the team but she was my star, in private.
I started coaching Justin's teams when they were a bit older, around the 10-12 age range. I continued until the boys made junior varsity. I didn't last as long with the girls. Maggie had switched to basketball and was very good at it.
Justin's team rosters changed from season to season but the core members remained the same and I formed a deep attachment to them.
Justin was a very good, versatile player. He played goalie for a while, then midfielder, then wing; usually left wing as he was naturally left footed. When a player reaches the front line they are often referred to as garbage men because they take passes from other players and turn them into goals. He was a passionate player giving it his all like he did with everything in life. His fellow team members were just as focused on their games which led to many successful seasons and trophies.
It was difficult balancing work, coaching and attending Brandon's soccer games and Maggie's basketball games but something I would have never missed for the world.
Looking back, those were the best years of my life.
Justin is #9
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)