Pretty par for the course these days that I am overwhelmed and WAYYYY behind on blog reading.
As in 1000+ unread blogs....so many that google has stopped counting.
My sincere apolgoies for falling off the face of the earth.
I haven't been doing much EXCEPT working the REAL job, working the LTF gig, and planning the RIDE 4 Jess on October 9.
Very excited to annouce that we have a sponsor for the event:
Nutrition Addiction: There mission is to bring good nutrition to community members and to provide the valuable service of informing people about the importance of good nutrition and regular exercise to achieve optimum health.
There GOAL: To fill the gap between the desire and the action, giving members the tools to help those that want to make a change for a healthier lifestyle. Providing solutions, motivation, education and a friendly atmosphere where they feel valued and supported with like minded individuals.
We will be starting and ending the ride from their location in Grapevine - all proceeds from smoothie sales that day will be directly donated to the National Brain Tumor Society. Along with that they will post up an aid station around mile 6.5 of the first loop, mile 19.5 of the second loop and mile 32.5 of the third loop which will serve the HerbaLife Prolong Product mixed with water.
Prolong is a dual-source blend of maltodextrin and low glycemic fructose facilitates carbohydrate utilization with a 12:1 carbohydrate-to-protein ratio with ultrapure whey protein isolate that helps reduce muscle breakdown during exercise. Bioavailable electrolytes help maintain a cellular environment for proper muscle contraction and B Vitamins support carbohydrate metabolism. Provides 500% daily value of Vitamin C to scavenge cell-damaging free radicals.
In layman's terms....the stuff is delicious.
So that's where I am right now with THAT! I am very excited that this has taken on a life of it's own and we are a little over a month away from actually hosting the ride.
Don't forget you can participate virtually - just make a donation to my fundraising page (ANY AMOUNT IS APPRECIATED) and let me know you are participating either by commenting or emailing me at
allie0622{at}yahoo{dot}com.
If you are going to actually be able to BE THERE on October 9 - let me know that too.... email or comment!
We will have donation tables set up for credit card donations the day of the ride! Donations will be accepted through November 5!
Happy Monday Y'all!
Showing posts with label jess. Show all posts
Showing posts with label jess. Show all posts
Monday, August 29, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
New Format for the Ride For Jess
Due to previous commitments with Life Time Fitness Cycle Club; I'm going to be unable to do the 12 hour bike ride on October 8.
I didn't realize when I picked the date that I was going to 1) be hired at LTF as the coordinator (it was still up in the air) and 2) have a mandatory expo that day.
So here are the new details
When: Sunday, October 9, 2011
Where: White Rock Lake
Why: To Raise Money for the Brain Tumor Foundation Dallas/Fort Worth Walk on November 5
The Nitty Gritty:
Anyone is welcome to ride, run, walk, jog, skip, scooter, segway, skate around the lake.
All I ask is that if you are going to come out and participate you make a DONATION to my FUNDRAISING PAGE (any denomination is appreciated!) and either comment here that you are going to participate or email me and let me know.
Take 1/2, 1, 2 or even loops around the lake whatever works for you! I will try and have ride leaders for 1 loop, 2 loops or 3 loops.
Runners - feel free to come out for your long training day.
Also - if you can participate virtually that would be awesome as well! Just a make a donation and let me know that you are going to participate!
Hoping to have a few sponsors that will provide some giveaways on race day.
I hope to have your support if you live here in the area and very much hope that you are able to participate!!!!!!
I didn't realize when I picked the date that I was going to 1) be hired at LTF as the coordinator (it was still up in the air) and 2) have a mandatory expo that day.
So here are the new details
When: Sunday, October 9, 2011
Where: White Rock Lake
Why: To Raise Money for the Brain Tumor Foundation Dallas/Fort Worth Walk on November 5
The Nitty Gritty:
Anyone is welcome to ride, run, walk, jog, skip, scooter, segway, skate around the lake.
All I ask is that if you are going to come out and participate you make a DONATION to my FUNDRAISING PAGE (any denomination is appreciated!) and either comment here that you are going to participate or email me and let me know.
Take 1/2, 1, 2 or even loops around the lake whatever works for you! I will try and have ride leaders for 1 loop, 2 loops or 3 loops.
Runners - feel free to come out for your long training day.
Also - if you can participate virtually that would be awesome as well! Just a make a donation and let me know that you are going to participate!
Hoping to have a few sponsors that will provide some giveaways on race day.
I hope to have your support if you live here in the area and very much hope that you are able to participate!!!!!!
Friday, July 29, 2011
Ahhhhhh
Friday is here! YAY!!!
It's been a crazy summer and I've barely had time to blog; BUT I'm so glad I did get the announcement out about the Ride 4 Jess..... I am so excited to share this with everyone and I thank you for your support!
Have you "liked" us on FB yet??? You should! Please go NOW and like us - follow the new blog Ride 4 Jess and keep up to date with all the information surrounding the ride.
This weekend is jammed packed (as summer weekends usually are) but I'm thrilled to hop on my bike and start riding away.
The bike ride will definitely be a challenge; but it will all be worth it in the end.
If you have any ideas on how we can better promote this ride and cause please email me and let me know!
If you are in the DFW area and have connections at news stations, radio stations, newspapers, etc I would love to utilize your resources.
The more I can spread the word about this cause, the more money we can raise, research can improve, patient advocacy can improve and WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
HAPPY FRIDAY Y'ALL!!!!!!!!
It's been a crazy summer and I've barely had time to blog; BUT I'm so glad I did get the announcement out about the Ride 4 Jess..... I am so excited to share this with everyone and I thank you for your support!
Have you "liked" us on FB yet??? You should! Please go NOW and like us - follow the new blog Ride 4 Jess and keep up to date with all the information surrounding the ride.
This weekend is jammed packed (as summer weekends usually are) but I'm thrilled to hop on my bike and start riding away.
The bike ride will definitely be a challenge; but it will all be worth it in the end.
If you have any ideas on how we can better promote this ride and cause please email me and let me know!
If you are in the DFW area and have connections at news stations, radio stations, newspapers, etc I would love to utilize your resources.
The more I can spread the word about this cause, the more money we can raise, research can improve, patient advocacy can improve and WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
HAPPY FRIDAY Y'ALL!!!!!!!!
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
What can you do???????
THANK YOU for all the wonderful and supportive comments about my ambitious 12hr bike ride! I really appreciate them and am so excited to embark on this journey!
So many of you have asked "what can I do to help"????
My initial list of TO-DO's is growing..... but that's for me to worry about and not you...
The #1 thing YOU CAN DO is to SPREAD THE WORD!!! Please share my fundraising page with ANYONE and EVERYONE you can! Post it on your blog, FB, Twitter, WHATEVER - send a carrier pigeon; JUST GET THE WORD OUT!!!! Even .50 would help....this goes directly to the National Brain Tumor Society - it does not go to me, my bank account or anyone else.
Step #2 - if you donate (which I sure hope you do) - Engage your corporation for a matching donation. It may take a few extra minutes but I know my company will match up to $5,000 of contributions is a calendar year!! That means if I donated $100 - they will match that and make it $200 total!!! Think about how that could change a life!!!!
Step #3 - RIDE WITH ME!!!!!! The place is To Be Determined - I'm hoping it will end up somewhere public but it may just happen in my living room (let's be honest) - You can hop on your bike Saturday October 8 and RIDE TO FIGHT BRAIN TUMORS!!!!!!! Let me know that you are going to participate; details regarding the ride and riding in your hometown will be delivered shortly.
Step #3.5 - WALK WITH US!!! If you live in the DFW area and want to participate in the walk in Fort Worth on November 5 - JOIN OUR TEAM, FACING GIANTS, HERE If you don't live here but still want to get involved you join as a virtual participant! ($10)
Step #4 - I'm working on a giveaway to host for all of you that donate............ so stay tuned for that!!!!!!
A new blog/website dedicated solely to this effort will debut sometime in the near future....working on that too.....
Now off to spread the word (you should do the same!)
So many of you have asked "what can I do to help"????
My initial list of TO-DO's is growing..... but that's for me to worry about and not you...
The #1 thing YOU CAN DO is to SPREAD THE WORD!!! Please share my fundraising page with ANYONE and EVERYONE you can! Post it on your blog, FB, Twitter, WHATEVER - send a carrier pigeon; JUST GET THE WORD OUT!!!! Even .50 would help....this goes directly to the National Brain Tumor Society - it does not go to me, my bank account or anyone else.
Step #2 - if you donate (which I sure hope you do) - Engage your corporation for a matching donation. It may take a few extra minutes but I know my company will match up to $5,000 of contributions is a calendar year!! That means if I donated $100 - they will match that and make it $200 total!!! Think about how that could change a life!!!!
Step #3 - RIDE WITH ME!!!!!! The place is To Be Determined - I'm hoping it will end up somewhere public but it may just happen in my living room (let's be honest) - You can hop on your bike Saturday October 8 and RIDE TO FIGHT BRAIN TUMORS!!!!!!! Let me know that you are going to participate; details regarding the ride and riding in your hometown will be delivered shortly.
Step #3.5 - WALK WITH US!!! If you live in the DFW area and want to participate in the walk in Fort Worth on November 5 - JOIN OUR TEAM, FACING GIANTS, HERE If you don't live here but still want to get involved you join as a virtual participant! ($10)
Step #4 - I'm working on a giveaway to host for all of you that donate............ so stay tuned for that!!!!!!
A new blog/website dedicated solely to this effort will debut sometime in the near future....working on that too.....
Now off to spread the word (you should do the same!)
LET'S UNITE TO FIGHT CANCER!!!!!!!
Monday, July 25, 2011
The BIG announcement
It's a BIG announcement; but without many details - it's still in the infancy stages...
So many are familiar with the great EMZ, you read her, you love her (instantly) and you want her to be your running buddy, best friend, champion, and second mom (what a lucky little girl peanut is).
She is awe-inspiring, has the best abs known to man, the greatest belt buckle ever created, and a compassionate heart.
She has inspired me through her blog posts for quite sometime now, her shoe collection is unreal.... and she got me thinking.
I was standing over a pot of spaghetti one night thinking about Jess, EMZ, Sojourner and the Brain Tumor Walk - how can I MAKE a difference THIS YEAR (remember here?)
and then it hit me......
A 12 hour bike ride for Jess.
EMZ ran for Sojourner - I will ride for Jess (and all other BT patients, families, survivors, friends, caregivers, researchers, etc)
So ... here it is...
When: October 8, 2011
Where: To be determined...
Why: Ride to fight Brain Tumors 2011
How can you help: GO HERE and donate to my fundraising page
So many are familiar with the great EMZ, you read her, you love her (instantly) and you want her to be your running buddy, best friend, champion, and second mom (what a lucky little girl peanut is).
She is awe-inspiring, has the best abs known to man, the greatest belt buckle ever created, and a compassionate heart.
She has inspired me through her blog posts for quite sometime now, her shoe collection is unreal.... and she got me thinking.
Like.freaking.thinking
and then it hit me......
By.riding.my.freaking.bike.
A 12 hour bike ride for Jess.
EMZ ran for Sojourner - I will ride for Jess (and all other BT patients, families, survivors, friends, caregivers, researchers, etc)
So ... here it is...
When: October 8, 2011
Where: To be determined...
Why: Ride to fight Brain Tumors 2011
How can you help: GO HERE and donate to my fundraising page
More details to come…. Trust me lots more details….
Oh yes, I’ll be back with an update about where I’ve been lately; after I read my 847 unread blog posts in my google reader…… YIKES!!!!
47 days until Maui ……. Ahhhhhhhhhhhh
75 days until the 12 hour ride for Jess
Monday, June 6, 2011
2 years
Two years ago on Saturday (June 4) I lost Jess to Brain Cancer.... as I thought about her all day I wrote this that evening...
Dear Jess -
Two years - it's been two years since I was driving to work and received "the call" - "the call" that changed my life as I knew it. I will always remember where I was on Luna Road that morning.... it will be a place that when I drive there I can't help but remember the ring, Della's voice, and the calmness in my voice that said - "Della, I need to get to work and I will call you back." I knew I had to wait until I was stationary, off the road, and not be a hazard to other drivers. Crying while driving is just as dangerous as drunk driving...at least crying in the state that I was in.
I made it to work - parked, got in the building went to my office, shut the door and called my mom. Came out of my office - went into Luann's and set there and bawled until I could piece myself together to call my boss and get home. I knew that with this news meant a lot of people would be coming over. I went home, changed all the sheets on the beds, cleaned the house, and prepared for a few days of chaos and many people. I knew the couple of hours I had to do that was the only hours I would have alone for up to a week. No one was going to let me be by myself. And that was ok.
I wanted to call Bill - I texted him instead. All I wanted was for him to wrap his arms around me.... but that was going to have to wait. We were still apart at the time you passed ....
June 4 will never be the same...it will be the day that I was robbed of years with my best friend, it will be the day that I will never forget where I was, what I was doing and the flood of sadness that engulfed me that day. It will be the day my heart broke into a million pieces for your family, your friends, all of those that loved you. It was the day I realized we will never go eat soup and salad at Olive Garden or nachos at Cristina's... we will never go spend way too much money at the mall or just randomly go see a movie again. It was the day I realized I would never be able to call you when Bill and I got back together (even though I believe you had a hand in it while sitting up in heaven smiling), it was a day I had a sobering reality that my partner in crime, my best friend, my sister, and I would never speak/text/email again. It is a day that breaks my heart each and every time I think about it.
I know that you would want me to not be sad, to live a life to the fullest, that brings awareness to the awful disease that took you too soon so I do.... I wake up each day with a smile on my face, thankful that I woke up and have a day to enjoy. I'm thankful for my health and the steps I take to ensure I have a long, healthy life with my family, my friends, and my future children. I wake up each day and throughout some point think of you and how you changed my life even after you were physically gone from this earth. I wake up and thank God that he gives us angels like you.
I wake up and think about this...
Dear Jess -
Two years - it's been two years since I was driving to work and received "the call" - "the call" that changed my life as I knew it. I will always remember where I was on Luna Road that morning.... it will be a place that when I drive there I can't help but remember the ring, Della's voice, and the calmness in my voice that said - "Della, I need to get to work and I will call you back." I knew I had to wait until I was stationary, off the road, and not be a hazard to other drivers. Crying while driving is just as dangerous as drunk driving...at least crying in the state that I was in.
I made it to work - parked, got in the building went to my office, shut the door and called my mom. Came out of my office - went into Luann's and set there and bawled until I could piece myself together to call my boss and get home. I knew that with this news meant a lot of people would be coming over. I went home, changed all the sheets on the beds, cleaned the house, and prepared for a few days of chaos and many people. I knew the couple of hours I had to do that was the only hours I would have alone for up to a week. No one was going to let me be by myself. And that was ok.
I wanted to call Bill - I texted him instead. All I wanted was for him to wrap his arms around me.... but that was going to have to wait. We were still apart at the time you passed ....
June 4 will never be the same...it will be the day that I was robbed of years with my best friend, it will be the day that I will never forget where I was, what I was doing and the flood of sadness that engulfed me that day. It will be the day my heart broke into a million pieces for your family, your friends, all of those that loved you. It was the day I realized we will never go eat soup and salad at Olive Garden or nachos at Cristina's... we will never go spend way too much money at the mall or just randomly go see a movie again. It was the day I realized I would never be able to call you when Bill and I got back together (even though I believe you had a hand in it while sitting up in heaven smiling), it was a day I had a sobering reality that my partner in crime, my best friend, my sister, and I would never speak/text/email again. It is a day that breaks my heart each and every time I think about it.
I know that you would want me to not be sad, to live a life to the fullest, that brings awareness to the awful disease that took you too soon so I do.... I wake up each day with a smile on my face, thankful that I woke up and have a day to enjoy. I'm thankful for my health and the steps I take to ensure I have a long, healthy life with my family, my friends, and my future children. I wake up each day and throughout some point think of you and how you changed my life even after you were physically gone from this earth. I wake up and thank God that he gives us angels like you.
I wake up and think about this...
“God, whether I get anything else done today, I want to make sure that I spend time loving you and loving other people – because that’s what life is all about. I don’t want to waste this day.”
xoxoxoxoxo
Don't forget about Mrs. Adventures DAY OF GIVEAWAYS ON FRIDAY JUNE 10!
Thursday, April 7, 2011
The "C" word.....
This morning as I was driving into a meeting downtown for work, I became overwhelmed.
I'm driving down the tollway, Starbucks in hand, ready to start the day. I had a terrible day yesterday - a crazy bad headache knocked me on my ass and I went to bed at 6 - woke up at 8pm, ate a little bit and went back to bed and slept until 8am this morning.
I know it's not healthy, I know my headache was tension and stress induced, I KNOW this, but I can't help but think "what if"..... anyway...
I'm driving into work, drinking my coffee, checking emails while sitting in traffic (I know - bad driver) all of the sudden I look up and see a billboard....
Then I actually start listening to the radio show blaring through my speakers. The morning drive with The Musers (I'm a ticket-chick) They are interviewing Rhett Butler, a talented guitar player, also a family member left picking up the pieces after his brother passed from brain cancer last May. He is releasing a movie about his brother at the Dallas Film Festival this weekend. He's fighting the fight after his brother passed, he is DOING something!
I automatically become stricken with sadness, lonliness, and guilt. .
Because I feel like I'm not doing ENOUGH to help in the battle to find a cure for Cancer. I feel like I could do more...... I feel like I put so much time and effort into other things - I haven't done what I need to do for Jess - or others who are battling this terrible disease.
But what? I raise money, I try and promote awareness, and keep Jess' memory alive...but I want to do more.
I don't really know what MORE is, yet, I'm sure it will come to me one day. I would love to be able to work full time fighting for cancer legislation, helping families and loved ones who are going through the battle, and ultimately make a difference in the fight against cancer - but I am not Lance Armstrong or Susan G. Komen or the American Cancer Society........
I am a working 29 year old girl who grieves the loss of her best friend - who doesn't want ANYONE to feel the pain that she felt and Jess' family felt. I want to make a difference....but the looming question is ... How?
Do you ever feel like this? You know you WANT to do something to help - but don't know HOW to?
I'm driving down the tollway, Starbucks in hand, ready to start the day. I had a terrible day yesterday - a crazy bad headache knocked me on my ass and I went to bed at 6 - woke up at 8pm, ate a little bit and went back to bed and slept until 8am this morning.
Immediately when I have a bad headache I think of Jess.
I know it's not healthy, I know my headache was tension and stress induced, I KNOW this, but I can't help but think "what if"..... anyway...
I'm driving into work, drinking my coffee, checking emails while sitting in traffic (I know - bad driver) all of the sudden I look up and see a billboard....
"We treat your Cancer differently here"....
Then I actually start listening to the radio show blaring through my speakers. The morning drive with The Musers (I'm a ticket-chick) They are interviewing Rhett Butler, a talented guitar player, also a family member left picking up the pieces after his brother passed from brain cancer last May. He is releasing a movie about his brother at the Dallas Film Festival this weekend. He's fighting the fight after his brother passed, he is DOING something!
I automatically become stricken with sadness, lonliness, and guilt. .
Why guilt?
Because I feel like I'm not doing ENOUGH to help in the battle to find a cure for Cancer. I feel like I could do more...... I feel like I put so much time and effort into other things - I haven't done what I need to do for Jess - or others who are battling this terrible disease.
I want to do more.
But what? I raise money, I try and promote awareness, and keep Jess' memory alive...but I want to do more.
I don't really know what MORE is, yet, I'm sure it will come to me one day. I would love to be able to work full time fighting for cancer legislation, helping families and loved ones who are going through the battle, and ultimately make a difference in the fight against cancer - but I am not Lance Armstrong or Susan G. Komen or the American Cancer Society........
I am a working 29 year old girl who grieves the loss of her best friend - who doesn't want ANYONE to feel the pain that she felt and Jess' family felt. I want to make a difference....but the looming question is ... How?
Do you ever feel like this? You know you WANT to do something to help - but don't know HOW to?
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Tribute Tuesday - Week One
Tribute Tuesdays is a new weekly installment that will be jointly hosted here at TriandFinish as well as over at my friend Janette’s blog, Johanson Journey.
Janette was inspired by my letters to BFF post(s) and contacted me to jointly host Tribute Tuesdays. We often times forget to tell the people in our lives how special they are and what they mean to us. Every day I tell Bill I love him, but how often do I tell him WHY I love him or recognize the little things he does? Similar to my relationships with all of my girlfriends; they know I love them but do they really know how special they are to me?
I realized this when Jess got sick; so when Janette came to me with this idea I absolutely could not pass it up. I think telling the people who inspire you and make your life better how they enrich your life is very important. So without further a due, I debut (see how that rhymes)…….
Tribute Tuesday Week One.
We will start off with the particulars …… (Everything has rules right?)
You can tribute a friend, a relative, a co-worker, a training buddy, a teacher, a doctor, get the point? You can tribute anyone……
Some things to think about when compiling your post….if you need a jumping off point – if not go ahead and start writing....
* How/Where you met
* First thoughts and impressions
* What made you two compatible
* What you like most about that person
* First Special Moment
* How you are alike yet different
* Things you love
* Things you hate
* Photos (I LOVE photos)
Again, these are just ideas – roll with this how you want – I think that is the great part of our blog-o-sphere we can be creative and say what we want, when we want – right?
Jessica and I met the summer before seventh grade atForestwood Middle School in Flower Mound, Texas
That was August 1993.
By September we were inseparable.
We were so glued to each other’s hips, in fact, we often spent many school nights at each other’s houses. My parents didn’t mind if I spent the night there b/c her mom was the high school nurse and her dad the football coach, so it was highly unlikely we would stay up too late and miss school the next day. She lived in the neighborhood across the street from our middle school so we were able to walk but nine times out of ten her mom dropped us off.
Jess’ family quickly became my family. Her mom was my mom and I was a staple at their house for chicken enchilada night and crescent chicken night. (Those are my two favorite dishes of her mothers.) Her dad was just as protective of me as my own father; even more so since he knew all the boys in school (and heard them talk in the locker room) and her siblings became my little sister and brother too. I tormented them like she did, played with them like Jess did, and overall loved her family as if they were my own; blood doesn’t necessarily make you family.
Over the years we formed to be one unit. Jess and Al. It wasn’t likely through the high school years that we did anything without each other. She was a cheerleader and I was a basketball player (not a good one at that) but by our senior year I quit basketball. With a coaching change and my reality that playing beyond high school was unlikely – I opted to quit the team and have a relaxing senior year with my friends. Both, SBJ and Jess were cheerleaders and Amber was the mascot… inevitably it made sense for me to DO SOMETHING with the cheer squad. I can’t tumble, I’m not very good at cheering and the mascot places were taken…so I was the manager.
Allison…the cheerleader manager. I got a lot of shit for that one.
It ended up being the best thing I did. I earned a free trip to Disney senior year with the squad to compete at nationals; I spent the summer at cheer camp with my three best friends, and countless Friday nights cheering on our high school football team. I would easily say I had one of the best high school experiences any 14-17 year old kid could have. Most of that was attributed to my friendship with Jess.
After high school we went to theUniversity of North Texas
Living together proved it’s difficulties – when are you THAT close to someone; their idiosyncrasies that used to be “oh that’s just her” become somewhat annoying….but we tolerated it and had a fun semester living together.
When I moved to A&M a year later Jess and I hadn’t talked in a few months. We had a large falling out (over a boy – silly I know) and our relationship became strained because of it. It didn’t take long after I moved to realize that her not being in my life was not something I wanted (or could take for that matter)
She was the one person who, literally, knew every inch of my soul. I didn’t have one secret from her. Not one. She was the one person; no matter what, you could have a conversation with, the topic didn't matter, and her big green eyes would never pass judgment. She was the kindest, dearest, truest soul and was much wiser than her years.
When I found out that she was diagnosed with brain cancer my world was forever altered. Saying this out loud makes it sound silly compared to the way her life and her families life was altered, but the world as I knew it with my best friend changed.
We would soon be having lunch over long hours of chemo or after a session of radiation. We would now talk about her medications rather than what bar we were going to that weekend or what double-date nights we had planned with her husband and my Bill. It forever altered our conversations, the underlying importance of our friendship and it shook me to the core.
It never really hit that my best friend had a terminal illness. Jess was sick, but she carried her self in a way that never led you to believe she was sick. She was strong, steadfast in her beliefs, and completely unwavering in her Christianity. She had to have internally questioned why God would stricken her with this illness, who wouldn't; but she never led her family and friends believe that she questioned it. She always said “God would never give me anything I can’t handle”
She not only was my best friend, my biggest supporter and the person who knew, literally everything about me – she was someone I looked up to.
I loved her because she was funny, I loved her because she was smart, I loved her because she was exactly how I would want to carry myself if something so devastating happened to me.
I want people to know Jess through her legacy of grace, resolute understanding of life and God’s plan for her, her selflessness and above all a wonderful testament to her parents of what a fantastic human being she truly was.
She wrote in a journal as she studied “The Purpose Driven Life” series when she was sick. After she passed one of her quotes her parents found in her journal, that has remained so important to me and gives you, who don’t know her a window to look into what an AWESOME person she was, was this:
She loved her family, her friends, her God and above all else she made sure we knew it.
Janette was inspired by my letters to BFF post(s) and contacted me to jointly host Tribute Tuesdays. We often times forget to tell the people in our lives how special they are and what they mean to us. Every day I tell Bill I love him, but how often do I tell him WHY I love him or recognize the little things he does? Similar to my relationships with all of my girlfriends; they know I love them but do they really know how special they are to me?
I realized this when Jess got sick; so when Janette came to me with this idea I absolutely could not pass it up. I think telling the people who inspire you and make your life better how they enrich your life is very important. So without further a due, I debut (see how that rhymes)…….
Tribute Tuesday Week One.
We will start off with the particulars …… (Everything has rules right?)
- Be or become a follower of this blog
- Be or become a follower of Janette’s blog
- Grab our button and put it on your page (you grab the code in the top left corner of my blog)
- Once you create your Tuesday post – link up via the Simply Linked Widget below!
You can tribute a friend, a relative, a co-worker, a training buddy, a teacher, a doctor, get the point? You can tribute anyone……
Some things to think about when compiling your post….if you need a jumping off point – if not go ahead and start writing....
* How/Where you met
* First thoughts and impressions
* What made you two compatible
* What you like most about that person
* First Special Moment
* How you are alike yet different
* Things you love
* Things you hate
* Photos (I LOVE photos)
* Silly moments
* Traveling
Tribute Tuesday – Week One – Jessica Ashley Gage Bonesio (BFF)
Jessica and I met the summer before seventh grade at
That was August 1993.
By September we were inseparable.
We were so glued to each other’s hips, in fact, we often spent many school nights at each other’s houses. My parents didn’t mind if I spent the night there b/c her mom was the high school nurse and her dad the football coach, so it was highly unlikely we would stay up too late and miss school the next day. She lived in the neighborhood across the street from our middle school so we were able to walk but nine times out of ten her mom dropped us off.
Jess’ family quickly became my family. Her mom was my mom and I was a staple at their house for chicken enchilada night and crescent chicken night. (Those are my two favorite dishes of her mothers.) Her dad was just as protective of me as my own father; even more so since he knew all the boys in school (and heard them talk in the locker room) and her siblings became my little sister and brother too. I tormented them like she did, played with them like Jess did, and overall loved her family as if they were my own; blood doesn’t necessarily make you family.
Over the years we formed to be one unit. Jess and Al. It wasn’t likely through the high school years that we did anything without each other. She was a cheerleader and I was a basketball player (not a good one at that) but by our senior year I quit basketball. With a coaching change and my reality that playing beyond high school was unlikely – I opted to quit the team and have a relaxing senior year with my friends. Both, SBJ and Jess were cheerleaders and Amber was the mascot… inevitably it made sense for me to DO SOMETHING with the cheer squad. I can’t tumble, I’m not very good at cheering and the mascot places were taken…so I was the manager.
Allison…the cheerleader manager. I got a lot of shit for that one.
It ended up being the best thing I did. I earned a free trip to Disney senior year with the squad to compete at nationals; I spent the summer at cheer camp with my three best friends, and countless Friday nights cheering on our high school football team. I would easily say I had one of the best high school experiences any 14-17 year old kid could have. Most of that was attributed to my friendship with Jess.
After high school we went to the
Living together proved it’s difficulties – when are you THAT close to someone; their idiosyncrasies that used to be “oh that’s just her” become somewhat annoying….but we tolerated it and had a fun semester living together.
When I moved to A&M a year later Jess and I hadn’t talked in a few months. We had a large falling out (over a boy – silly I know) and our relationship became strained because of it. It didn’t take long after I moved to realize that her not being in my life was not something I wanted (or could take for that matter)
She was the one person who, literally, knew every inch of my soul. I didn’t have one secret from her. Not one. She was the one person; no matter what, you could have a conversation with, the topic didn't matter, and her big green eyes would never pass judgment. She was the kindest, dearest, truest soul and was much wiser than her years.
When I found out that she was diagnosed with brain cancer my world was forever altered. Saying this out loud makes it sound silly compared to the way her life and her families life was altered, but the world as I knew it with my best friend changed.
We would soon be having lunch over long hours of chemo or after a session of radiation. We would now talk about her medications rather than what bar we were going to that weekend or what double-date nights we had planned with her husband and my Bill. It forever altered our conversations, the underlying importance of our friendship and it shook me to the core.
It never really hit that my best friend had a terminal illness. Jess was sick, but she carried her self in a way that never led you to believe she was sick. She was strong, steadfast in her beliefs, and completely unwavering in her Christianity. She had to have internally questioned why God would stricken her with this illness, who wouldn't; but she never led her family and friends believe that she questioned it. She always said “God would never give me anything I can’t handle”
She not only was my best friend, my biggest supporter and the person who knew, literally everything about me – she was someone I looked up to.
I loved her because she was funny, I loved her because she was smart, I loved her because she was exactly how I would want to carry myself if something so devastating happened to me.
I want people to know Jess through her legacy of grace, resolute understanding of life and God’s plan for her, her selflessness and above all a wonderful testament to her parents of what a fantastic human being she truly was.
She wrote in a journal as she studied “The Purpose Driven Life” series when she was sick. After she passed one of her quotes her parents found in her journal, that has remained so important to me and gives you, who don’t know her a window to look into what an AWESOME person she was, was this:
“God, whether I get anything else done today, I want to make sure that I spend time loving you and loving other people – because that’s what life is all about. I don’t want to waste this day.”
To my best friend, Jessica Ashley Gage Bonesio, I love you and will forever treasure you. You are gone but never forgotten. I think of you constantly and wish you were here to share in such a wonderful life you were destined to have. But until we meet again in the house of our Lord – I will continue to strive to carry on your legacy, your kind heart and fight to find a cure to this terrible disease that took you away too soon. You are now my angel; as well as so many others.
I love you forever and always – BFFASSFAEAEAEAEAE!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Letters to my BFF
**I wrote this on the plane on Tuesday 2/22 - but my blackberry wouldn't post to blogger - Grrrrr**
Dear Jess -
I'm sitting here on a plane on the way to New Mexico and I just read an article in Spirit Magazine on my Southwest flight about the movie "Brian's Song". I haven't seen it but it truly peaks my interest. It's about two best friends, Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers who aren't only best friends they are football teammates as well.
The story is about the bond that is formed when they find out one is terminally ill with cancer. From the brief synopsis I read is strikingly resembled our friendship. I can't wait to Netflix the movie. But as usual it gets me thinking about you and our friendship and how much I miss you and our bond that we shared.
I was driving home from Ronda's yesterday (side note readers: Ronda is my hair stylist) and I couldn't stop thinking about the time you desperately wanted your hair to be blonde. When you convinced Ronda to die it - it turned orange!!! HAHAHA! It was right before Easter and let me tell you - you looked awesome with bright orange hair and a pastel dress. Your mom wasn't very happy that Easter Sunday going to church. I think shortly after, if I recall, you went back to your natural beautiful brown hair that always made your green eyes pop. You were so beautiful.
Last Friday was Bill's 30th bday. I invited your hubby to his surprise party but he wasn't able to make it. I understand. I miss our double dates and constant laughs. I can't believe your 30th bday is right around the corner (Feb. 27th). It's another day that is hard every year.
30! I can't believe we would be celebrating our 30th birthdays this year and 17 years of friendship. WOW!
I still continually miss you every day and assume that its never going to go away. Since my last letter to you Sarah got married. She was a beautiful bride and I so desperately wished you were there to see her. I wrapped my Livestrong bracelet around my bouquet so that you were there with us and standing for her. The wedding was gorgeous and Sarah is happier than I have ever seen her. You would be so happy.
I continue to struggle that you aren't here. Mostly for selfish reasons - I know you are no longer in pain and that we are all on God's time but even though the days pass and it should seemingly get easier, I still remain sad. Then I think about a happy memory (like your orange hair) and laugh.
I miss you friend and wish I was planning to celebrate your 30th this weekend. Instead I will think about and embrace all the birthdays were did have together because those are precious memories I will never let go of.
Love you.
Al
Dear Jess -
I'm sitting here on a plane on the way to New Mexico and I just read an article in Spirit Magazine on my Southwest flight about the movie "Brian's Song". I haven't seen it but it truly peaks my interest. It's about two best friends, Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers who aren't only best friends they are football teammates as well.
The story is about the bond that is formed when they find out one is terminally ill with cancer. From the brief synopsis I read is strikingly resembled our friendship. I can't wait to Netflix the movie. But as usual it gets me thinking about you and our friendship and how much I miss you and our bond that we shared.
I was driving home from Ronda's yesterday (side note readers: Ronda is my hair stylist) and I couldn't stop thinking about the time you desperately wanted your hair to be blonde. When you convinced Ronda to die it - it turned orange!!! HAHAHA! It was right before Easter and let me tell you - you looked awesome with bright orange hair and a pastel dress. Your mom wasn't very happy that Easter Sunday going to church. I think shortly after, if I recall, you went back to your natural beautiful brown hair that always made your green eyes pop. You were so beautiful.
Last Friday was Bill's 30th bday. I invited your hubby to his surprise party but he wasn't able to make it. I understand. I miss our double dates and constant laughs. I can't believe your 30th bday is right around the corner (Feb. 27th). It's another day that is hard every year.
30! I can't believe we would be celebrating our 30th birthdays this year and 17 years of friendship. WOW!
I still continually miss you every day and assume that its never going to go away. Since my last letter to you Sarah got married. She was a beautiful bride and I so desperately wished you were there to see her. I wrapped my Livestrong bracelet around my bouquet so that you were there with us and standing for her. The wedding was gorgeous and Sarah is happier than I have ever seen her. You would be so happy.
I continue to struggle that you aren't here. Mostly for selfish reasons - I know you are no longer in pain and that we are all on God's time but even though the days pass and it should seemingly get easier, I still remain sad. Then I think about a happy memory (like your orange hair) and laugh.
I miss you friend and wish I was planning to celebrate your 30th this weekend. Instead I will think about and embrace all the birthdays were did have together because those are precious memories I will never let go of.
Love you.
Al
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Letters to my BFF
Dear Jess -
There still isn't a moment that goes by I don't think of you - seriously it's THAT often.
On Christmas Eve I was having a glass of wine with my mom and preparing dishes for the Christmas Day feast ( you know she cooks WAAAAY too much food) and we were talking about the time you and me had to go to the store 4 times because we messed up Anna's jello thing she loves so much. Mom and I laughed so hard about that Christmas Eve.
I've been missing you a lot lately. Maybe it's the holidays, maybe it's because your 30th birthday is coming up next month, maybe it's because SBJ is getting married this weekend, or maybe it's because I just miss you that much - I try and try to think about all the fun times - all the laughs all the memories and all the silly stories....which inevitably works 99% of the time to clear up the sadness...but sometimes I am just sad.
I saw your family in November at the Brain Tumor Walk - so good to see them. I know you know this, but everyone is doing so well. I miss my second set of parents about as much as I miss you- but I know I will get to see them soon.
Today is your sisters birthday - the first thing I did was text her when I got up to wish her a happy day! I still think of her as my little sister and since you aren't here to wish her happy bday I did it for the both of us.
I'm sitting here at work 4 days before SBJ's wedding. And, although, I'm super happy for her I can't help but be sad that you aren't here to celebrate with us. I'm going to OKC tomorrow for work then it's over to Tulsa to start the festivities. You know SBJ only does things top notch and this wedding is no different. It oozes SBJ through and through.
When Amber and I wake up on Saturday morning it won't be the same drinking mimosa's without you. Or getting our hair and make up done without you or walking down the aisle to support SBJ and you not being there...but like all things since 6/4/09 I will get through it knowing that you are guiding us with your gentle kind spirit.
I'm continually thinking of you and the day we spent together on your wedding day. Hair, makeup, chick fil a, and a freezing cold day in December with awesome pictures.
I love you BFF - and miss you dearly.
BFFASSFAEAEAEAEAE,
Al
There still isn't a moment that goes by I don't think of you - seriously it's THAT often.
On Christmas Eve I was having a glass of wine with my mom and preparing dishes for the Christmas Day feast ( you know she cooks WAAAAY too much food) and we were talking about the time you and me had to go to the store 4 times because we messed up Anna's jello thing she loves so much. Mom and I laughed so hard about that Christmas Eve.
I've been missing you a lot lately. Maybe it's the holidays, maybe it's because your 30th birthday is coming up next month, maybe it's because SBJ is getting married this weekend, or maybe it's because I just miss you that much - I try and try to think about all the fun times - all the laughs all the memories and all the silly stories....which inevitably works 99% of the time to clear up the sadness...but sometimes I am just sad.
I saw your family in November at the Brain Tumor Walk - so good to see them. I know you know this, but everyone is doing so well. I miss my second set of parents about as much as I miss you- but I know I will get to see them soon.
Today is your sisters birthday - the first thing I did was text her when I got up to wish her a happy day! I still think of her as my little sister and since you aren't here to wish her happy bday I did it for the both of us.
I'm sitting here at work 4 days before SBJ's wedding. And, although, I'm super happy for her I can't help but be sad that you aren't here to celebrate with us. I'm going to OKC tomorrow for work then it's over to Tulsa to start the festivities. You know SBJ only does things top notch and this wedding is no different. It oozes SBJ through and through.
When Amber and I wake up on Saturday morning it won't be the same drinking mimosa's without you. Or getting our hair and make up done without you or walking down the aisle to support SBJ and you not being there...but like all things since 6/4/09 I will get through it knowing that you are guiding us with your gentle kind spirit.
I'm continually thinking of you and the day we spent together on your wedding day. Hair, makeup, chick fil a, and a freezing cold day in December with awesome pictures.
I love you BFF - and miss you dearly.
BFFASSFAEAEAEAEAE,
Al
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| Me, Jess (BFF), Sarah (SBJ) |
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| Me and Jess |
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| Mom, Me, Jess, Stephanie (Jess' mom) |
Monday, January 3, 2011
11 in 2011
What a great weekend! I had an awesome week off last week..... mainly because I hit 100% of my workouts. Let me tell you; it's a hell of a lot easier to get in two workouts a day when you don't have an 8 hour gig in between. Not only did I maintain a 100% completion of workouts, I had all the laundry done, the house cleaned and dinner was on the table at a respectable time each night. GO ME! But I am glad to be back at work today and have my routine back. However, it didn't start off very well... I slept through my alarm and missed my Master Swim. Way to go.... 24 hour fitness - I'll see you when the quitting bell rings.
I haven't recapped my numbers from 2010 - so expect that at some point this week. Also I started reading a pretty amazing book which I'm sure some of you have read. The Long Run - Matt Long. It's pretty awesome and you can enter to win it over at Running with Whit's continuation of the Pay It Forward Giveaway Jason started. I read 12 chapters in one day - that should say something.
Yesterday I was scheduled to run 6 miles at an 11 min mile pace. It was cold, I was tired so I opted to channel my inner EMZ and run on the treadmill at the gym. This was the farthest I've ever run on a treadmill and 63 minutes later I felt awesome. It was a 10:30 pace a little faster than coach wanted but I felt good and by the end of the run was ready to get it over with. The last 1/2 mile I kicked it in and was running 7 mph so says the treadmill. I was a hot sweaty mess but that was my longest run since White Rock (due to being sick, etc) and gave me some confidence for my 15K this weekend.
So to follow suit with all the other bloggers in blog land I guess it's time to put out my goals for 2011. YIKES...this makes them real you know. (In no particular order besides the order in which my brain thought of them)... 11 goals in 2011 which I feel I can adequately achieve. No 50% this year......
Athletic:
1. Complete the Run for the bling of it challenge....12 races in 12 months
2. New Orleans Half Ironman....enough said
3. Run a marathon...this was initially a goal in my 30b430 list but seeing as 70.3 training is more important to me right now this will have to wait. Hoping to run White Rock 2011 26.2.
4. Become a spin instructor at the gym. Another one on my 30b430 list....
5. Run 1000 miles in 2011
Life
6. Spend more time with my nieces and nephews..... take each of them once a month to do something fun (by themselves)
7. Organize a race in honor of Jess and donate all the proceeds to her scholarship fund. (I'm going to need help with this one)
8. Take an amazing - unplugged - vacation again this year. Cabo was so awesome in 2010!
Nutrition
9. Limit eating out
10. Limit desserts...this one is going to be tough
11. Achieve my goal weight....15 pounds to go
I haven't recapped my numbers from 2010 - so expect that at some point this week. Also I started reading a pretty amazing book which I'm sure some of you have read. The Long Run - Matt Long. It's pretty awesome and you can enter to win it over at Running with Whit's continuation of the Pay It Forward Giveaway Jason started. I read 12 chapters in one day - that should say something.
Yesterday I was scheduled to run 6 miles at an 11 min mile pace. It was cold, I was tired so I opted to channel my inner EMZ and run on the treadmill at the gym. This was the farthest I've ever run on a treadmill and 63 minutes later I felt awesome. It was a 10:30 pace a little faster than coach wanted but I felt good and by the end of the run was ready to get it over with. The last 1/2 mile I kicked it in and was running 7 mph so says the treadmill. I was a hot sweaty mess but that was my longest run since White Rock (due to being sick, etc) and gave me some confidence for my 15K this weekend.
So to follow suit with all the other bloggers in blog land I guess it's time to put out my goals for 2011. YIKES...this makes them real you know. (In no particular order besides the order in which my brain thought of them)... 11 goals in 2011 which I feel I can adequately achieve. No 50% this year......
Athletic:
1. Complete the Run for the bling of it challenge....12 races in 12 months
2. New Orleans Half Ironman....enough said
3. Run a marathon...this was initially a goal in my 30b430 list but seeing as 70.3 training is more important to me right now this will have to wait. Hoping to run White Rock 2011 26.2.
4. Become a spin instructor at the gym. Another one on my 30b430 list....
5. Run 1000 miles in 2011
Life
6. Spend more time with my nieces and nephews..... take each of them once a month to do something fun (by themselves)
7. Organize a race in honor of Jess and donate all the proceeds to her scholarship fund. (I'm going to need help with this one)
8. Take an amazing - unplugged - vacation again this year. Cabo was so awesome in 2010!
Nutrition
9. Limit eating out
10. Limit desserts...this one is going to be tough
11. Achieve my goal weight....15 pounds to go
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Day 20: Nicknames
Are you sad I only have 10 days left of this challenge??????? What am I going to blog about when this is all said and done? I'm sure I'll find something entertaining for you.....or at least what I think is entertaining.
Nicknames:
I've always been jealous of people with really cool nicknames....like my friend Newbie. Although her mother (and sister-in-law) hate it I think it's neat we have a name just for her. Seriously my kids will call her aunt newbie one day. Nicknames I've been called (some less consistently than others)
Al: My whole family calls me Al....
Alllie: Some certain friends call me allie
Allie Wallie: Jess called me this
Allie-Tri: Bill calls me this on weeks before races
Pretty uneventful nicknames I suppose...... Do you have any nicknames?
I just spent the first part of my morning at a conference for work. It was boring....who schedules these things the week of Thanksgiving....BUT.... we are leaving here early today for a team holiday outing. i.e. we are gong to happy hour. Very thankful I got up early and ran this morning.
The conference today did have an amazing key note speaker. Scott O'Grady who lives here in Dallas now spoke for about 30 minutes on his experience when he was shot down over Bosnia. Who can check is WIKI page here....
It was an amazing speech and definetly gave me a new outlook going into Thanksgiving. I really want to read his book......
He said the 3 things that kept him alive for 6 days while hiding out in Bosnia.... his faith in God, his relationships (family/friends), and his patriotism. It reminded me of a quote Jessica wrote in her journal...
"My relationships with people are what prepare me for eternal life, and nothing else on earth will matter when I face God. I will pray that my relationships, not just my close relationships, but all will always take priority over every other thing in my life. Loving is the most important thing; not work, school or gain. Character is my legacy."
What is your legacy? What keeps you going every day?
Nicknames:
I've always been jealous of people with really cool nicknames....like my friend Newbie. Although her mother (and sister-in-law) hate it I think it's neat we have a name just for her. Seriously my kids will call her aunt newbie one day. Nicknames I've been called (some less consistently than others)
Al: My whole family calls me Al....
Alllie: Some certain friends call me allie
Allie Wallie: Jess called me this
Allie-Tri: Bill calls me this on weeks before races
Pretty uneventful nicknames I suppose...... Do you have any nicknames?
I just spent the first part of my morning at a conference for work. It was boring....who schedules these things the week of Thanksgiving....BUT.... we are leaving here early today for a team holiday outing. i.e. we are gong to happy hour. Very thankful I got up early and ran this morning.
The conference today did have an amazing key note speaker. Scott O'Grady who lives here in Dallas now spoke for about 30 minutes on his experience when he was shot down over Bosnia. Who can check is WIKI page here....
It was an amazing speech and definetly gave me a new outlook going into Thanksgiving. I really want to read his book......
He said the 3 things that kept him alive for 6 days while hiding out in Bosnia.... his faith in God, his relationships (family/friends), and his patriotism. It reminded me of a quote Jessica wrote in her journal...
"My relationships with people are what prepare me for eternal life, and nothing else on earth will matter when I face God. I will pray that my relationships, not just my close relationships, but all will always take priority over every other thing in my life. Loving is the most important thing; not work, school or gain. Character is my legacy."
What is your legacy? What keeps you going every day?
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Day 15 - Half way through the challenge....
Day 15: A Bible Verse..
Oh Jeez.....I could go on and on about my favorite bible verses. I grew up in a Southern Baptist church
I was involved in "Bible Drill" - it's just like it sounds. It's a competition in which you stand in a line (with other church goers your age) the preacher calls out a verse and you thumb through your bible until you find it and when you do land your index finger on said verse and then you step forward. {I google imaged to try and find pics but no such luck}
with my family. Where I was expected to be in church every Wednesday night and every Sunday morning
unless I was dying or dead. Even if I spent the night at a friends house my mom and dad would either make sure I went to my friends church or they would pick me up and take me to our church.
I was involved in "Bible Drill" - it's just like it sounds. It's a competition in which you stand in a line (with other church goers your age) the preacher calls out a verse and you thumb through your bible until you find it and when you do land your index finger on said verse and then you step forward. {I google imaged to try and find pics but no such luck}
I made it to state one year...... true story.
Anyhow -
I could rattle off verse after verse....BUT - my favorite (most meaningful) verse is Jeremiah 29:11
Jeremiah 29:11 I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
This was the verse that Jessica relied on while she was sick. She knew that God had a purpose for her life. And although, I think, her life was too short... I know that when her work was done here on this earth God called her home. She touched many lives through death that I never though were possible. She inspired many people while she was alive - but so many more when she passed.
I love her to pieces each day. I miss her each day.... I continue to pray that her family find strength and peace with her passing. 17 months ago I lost my best friend, my partner in crime and the one person that literally knew EVERYTHING about me.... we had no secrets, no regrets during our friendship and I am proud to say she was my BFF.
I know not everyone is religious, spiritual or whatever. I'm not naive enough to believe that every person on this planet will believe what I believe or believe in anything... but I hope that you have something that inspires you...that you can turn to when things are tough and find peace. I find it in prayer everyday, I find it in conversation {sometimes out loud} with Jess. I know she is watching over me and all her beloved..... God gained an amazing angel the day he called her home.
In other news.... today is 11.18 which means that it is the eleventh (11th) anniversary of Aggie Bonfire. Not familiar? Let me share....
Aggie Bonfire was a long-standing tradition at Texas A&M as part of our rivalry between UT (in Austin). Our biggest college rival is UT (or t.u. as we call them.. because they are NOT THE University OF Texas… they are texas university
… we don’t like them can you tell)
For 90 years, Aggies built and burned Bonfire on campus each fall. The annual event symbolizes all Aggie s “burning desire to beat the hell outta t.u.”,
Bonfire burned the night before the t.u. A&M football game, which traditionally was held the Friday after Thanksgiving.
A&M students, former students and the like all helped to cut, stack and burn Bonfire. It was a thriving tradition at A&M since November 18, 1907.
On November 18, 1999 some 92 years after the first Bonfire burned, at 2:42am Bonfire collapsed. Of the 58 students working on stack that night 12 students lost their lives and around 27 were injured.
I was not on campus at this time – as I had forgone my acceptance to A&M my freshman year to stay home (I wasn’t ready to leave); but most of my now best friends were there that night. They have recounted to me their stories and experiences of hearing the never-ending sirens blare throughout campus and down the main drag to the hospital. The eerie silence on campus that day which coincidentally was Aggie Ring Day (another large tradition at A&M – ask any Aggie and they will show you their Aggie Ring). They recounted the vigil that took place for the fallen and how A&M forever changed that day.
I remember I was sitting at home folding laundry (at 3am – who does that); when I saw a breaking news story that Aggie Bonfire had fallen. I had dated a guy in high school who was at A&M and in the Corps of Cadets. I knew the possibility of him being out there was great – but I hadn’t talked to him in a few weeks and didn’t know when his outfit would be there. I remember thinking “Oh God he could be there”.
I stayed up the rest of the morning as the news reports rolled in. I tried calling all of my friends that I knew at A&M to try and get an update; but as you can imagine the phone lines were jammed packed and couldn’t get through. At that time land lines was all we had as most of us didn’t have cell phones.
It was scary for me … but I didn’t understand the true meaning of the tradition until I was myself a student at A&M. I finally "got" the history and tradition and all that stuff because I loved A&M but the true root of the bond that Aggies have is unreal. I love Texas A&M and I love being an Aggie and today I will remember the 12 people who lost their lives on stack that day. I will say a prayer for each of them along with their families.
We will never forget...
Jeremiah 29:11 I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
This was the verse that Jessica relied on while she was sick. She knew that God had a purpose for her life. And although, I think, her life was too short... I know that when her work was done here on this earth God called her home. She touched many lives through death that I never though were possible. She inspired many people while she was alive - but so many more when she passed.
I love her to pieces each day. I miss her each day.... I continue to pray that her family find strength and peace with her passing. 17 months ago I lost my best friend, my partner in crime and the one person that literally knew EVERYTHING about me.... we had no secrets, no regrets during our friendship and I am proud to say she was my BFF.
I know not everyone is religious, spiritual or whatever. I'm not naive enough to believe that every person on this planet will believe what I believe or believe in anything... but I hope that you have something that inspires you...that you can turn to when things are tough and find peace. I find it in prayer everyday, I find it in conversation {sometimes out loud} with Jess. I know she is watching over me and all her beloved..... God gained an amazing angel the day he called her home.
In other news.... today is 11.18 which means that it is the eleventh (11th) anniversary of Aggie Bonfire. Not familiar? Let me share....
Aggie Bonfire was a long-standing tradition at Texas A&M as part of our rivalry between UT (in Austin). Our biggest college rival is UT (or t.u. as we call them.. because they are NOT THE University OF Texas… they are texas university
… we don’t like them can you tell)For 90 years, Aggies built and burned Bonfire on campus each fall. The annual event symbolizes all Aggie s “burning desire to beat the hell outta t.u.”,
Bonfire burned the night before the t.u. A&M football game, which traditionally was held the Friday after Thanksgiving.
A&M students, former students and the like all helped to cut, stack and burn Bonfire. It was a thriving tradition at A&M since November 18, 1907.
On November 18, 1999 some 92 years after the first Bonfire burned, at 2:42am Bonfire collapsed. Of the 58 students working on stack that night 12 students lost their lives and around 27 were injured.
I was not on campus at this time – as I had forgone my acceptance to A&M my freshman year to stay home (I wasn’t ready to leave); but most of my now best friends were there that night. They have recounted to me their stories and experiences of hearing the never-ending sirens blare throughout campus and down the main drag to the hospital. The eerie silence on campus that day which coincidentally was Aggie Ring Day (another large tradition at A&M – ask any Aggie and they will show you their Aggie Ring). They recounted the vigil that took place for the fallen and how A&M forever changed that day.
I remember I was sitting at home folding laundry (at 3am – who does that); when I saw a breaking news story that Aggie Bonfire had fallen. I had dated a guy in high school who was at A&M and in the Corps of Cadets. I knew the possibility of him being out there was great – but I hadn’t talked to him in a few weeks and didn’t know when his outfit would be there. I remember thinking “Oh God he could be there”.
I stayed up the rest of the morning as the news reports rolled in. I tried calling all of my friends that I knew at A&M to try and get an update; but as you can imagine the phone lines were jammed packed and couldn’t get through. At that time land lines was all we had as most of us didn’t have cell phones.
It was scary for me … but I didn’t understand the true meaning of the tradition until I was myself a student at A&M. I finally "got" the history and tradition and all that stuff because I loved A&M but the true root of the bond that Aggies have is unreal. I love Texas A&M and I love being an Aggie and today I will remember the 12 people who lost their lives on stack that day. I will say a prayer for each of them along with their families.
We will never forget...
Thursday, September 23, 2010
I was running....
Last night I missed the group ride with PBA after a long, exhausting day at work. I planned on putting my bike on the trainer and watching Modern Family and two hours of Law and Order SVU....Bill went out last night with some friends and I was home by myself.
I was sitting on the couch not really feeling well....and I had dozed off for a little cat nap.... when I woke up I felt like crap. I wasn't in the mood to get my bike, pull out the trainer, set it up, change clothes, etc etc... I was about thiiiiiiiis close to saying F-it - I need a rest day.
Then I started moving about the house..........
At about 8:30 I decided to put on my tennis shoes....and run...no ipod, no socks, no heart rate monitor...just me, the outside air and my Brooks.
I haven't gone out for a run without all my "gear" probably, ever . It is starting to cool off at night now.... officially Fall started yesterday. Anyway - I started running... I didn't map a route before I left the house... I just went. I did take my phone just in case I needed to call if something happened (and I wore bright clothes) :)
I ran around my neighborhood, down a main street to another neighborhood, around those streets and back home..... I have no idea how far it was - probably 2-ish miles or so.
It was a short 25 minutes but during it I was alone with my thoughts and the sounds of my shoes hitting the pavement. The streets were eerily quiet last night - not much movement besides a light breeze. I thought about how two years ago I remember telling Bill "I can't run a mile - it's too far!", I thought about all the people on Biggest Loser on Tuesday that ran a mile at over 300 pounds. I thought mostly about Jessica.
I tend to do that when I'm alone.... think about her. I thought about how much I've been missing her lately. I miss her everyday but lately it's been almost insurmountable. I cried the other day when P-diddy's song "I'll be missing you" came on the radio. I was driving...and lost it...
I thought about how the remainder of my life she won't be here.......physically at least and how I don't know what I would do if something ever happened to Bill.
Seriously - it was a lot for a 25 minute run... I felt better when I got home. The nose wasn't so runny and my throat felt better. I felt better.
Sometimes you just need to do something for yourself.....
We were watching the Biggest Loser on Tuesday and a lot of the contestants said that they are overweight because the lost themselves. They gave everything they have to their loved ones - their families... and somewhere along the way they lost the ability/want/need to take care of themselves.
One lady said her daughter told her that she didn't want to be like her b/c she was fat.
Bill turned to me and said - we can't ever let that happen. We have to be good role models for our children. We can't loose ourselves in our families and forget about ourselves. If we don't take care of ourselves our children won't have parents...... I think it's important to remember that. ALWAYS take time to take care of YOU - you will be a better person, wife, girlfriend, mom, father, brother, uncle, aunt...etc.....
Anyway - I hope you have a happy Thursday! Another busy day at work for me with sales appointments and such so wish me luck!
I can't be more excited that Grey's starts again tonight! WHOOO-HOOOO!!!!
I was sitting on the couch not really feeling well....and I had dozed off for a little cat nap.... when I woke up I felt like crap. I wasn't in the mood to get my bike, pull out the trainer, set it up, change clothes, etc etc... I was about thiiiiiiiis close to saying F-it - I need a rest day.
Then I started moving about the house..........
At about 8:30 I decided to put on my tennis shoes....and run...no ipod, no socks, no heart rate monitor...just me, the outside air and my Brooks.
I haven't gone out for a run without all my "gear" probably, ever . It is starting to cool off at night now.... officially Fall started yesterday. Anyway - I started running... I didn't map a route before I left the house... I just went. I did take my phone just in case I needed to call if something happened (and I wore bright clothes) :)
It was a short 25 minutes but during it I was alone with my thoughts and the sounds of my shoes hitting the pavement. The streets were eerily quiet last night - not much movement besides a light breeze. I thought about how two years ago I remember telling Bill "I can't run a mile - it's too far!", I thought about all the people on Biggest Loser on Tuesday that ran a mile at over 300 pounds. I thought mostly about Jessica.
I tend to do that when I'm alone.... think about her. I thought about how much I've been missing her lately. I miss her everyday but lately it's been almost insurmountable. I cried the other day when P-diddy's song "I'll be missing you" came on the radio. I was driving...and lost it...
I thought about how the remainder of my life she won't be here.......physically at least and how I don't know what I would do if something ever happened to Bill.
Seriously - it was a lot for a 25 minute run... I felt better when I got home. The nose wasn't so runny and my throat felt better. I felt better.
Sometimes you just need to do something for yourself.....
We were watching the Biggest Loser on Tuesday and a lot of the contestants said that they are overweight because the lost themselves. They gave everything they have to their loved ones - their families... and somewhere along the way they lost the ability/want/need to take care of themselves.
One lady said her daughter told her that she didn't want to be like her b/c she was fat.
Bill turned to me and said - we can't ever let that happen. We have to be good role models for our children. We can't loose ourselves in our families and forget about ourselves. If we don't take care of ourselves our children won't have parents...... I think it's important to remember that. ALWAYS take time to take care of YOU - you will be a better person, wife, girlfriend, mom, father, brother, uncle, aunt...etc.....
Anyway - I hope you have a happy Thursday! Another busy day at work for me with sales appointments and such so wish me luck!
I can't be more excited that Grey's starts again tonight! WHOOO-HOOOO!!!!
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