ADVENTURES...

(Spoiler Alert if you haven't seen the film).

The movie 'UP' has been playing in my head over the past two days. Well, not the whole movie but this particular scene.

This is the first movie I saw at the theater after Tyra died. I went with our good friend Miss Deb and both of us were in tears at Ellie's note to Carl.

ADVENTURES - I'd say this was the theme of Tyra and my life together. Just as Carl wanted to continue his adventures with Ellie - I too would like nothing more then to do this with my sweet girl. This however is not a choice I have been afforded. What I can do, what I can allow, what I believe Tyra would want for me is to "have new ones".

So, on to why the past two days have brought this about. Yesterday, I had an amazing opportunity to meet a wonderful mom and her very joyful little boy. The meeting was to share the Duet, our tandem bike, with this family. Tuesday I had a voicemail at my office from this wonderful mom inquiring about our bike. She had remembered meeting Tyra & I some years before when we were riding through the park. As her little boy has outgrown their bike trailer she was seeking out something new for him. She remembered US! Oh, how I love when people remember US. She described US to a woman from the Board of Ed and was quickly sent my direction. This woman too remembered US. During the visit on Friday my heart was warmed as this mom spoke of all the adventures they can now have with the Duet. We didn't have a name for our bike before but I think I am going to call it Carl from now on. Afterall, it has been a part of wonderful adventures and now it is off to make new ones.

 As for me, since Tyra died I have been riding solo (I take that back - Tyra is always with me). I too, am having new adventures. I have ridden and taken in some beautiful sites and met some wonderful people along the way. I have decided to call my bike Russell, the little wilderness explorer that Carl befriends. 



   

SEAGULL CENTURY DIVERSION



COVERED BRIDGE RIDE



PUBLIC LANDING CENTURY



BETWEEN THE WATERS CENTURY
Today's ADVENTURE

THANKFUL FOR

 ALL THE ADVENTURES!!!



THIS weekend...

THIS weekend has been one of my favorites for many years. Children in our county typically have four days off this weekend. I always looked forward to Tyra having time off from school. Four days to be together, four days to go on adventures, four days to make memories.

It was on THIS weekend that we traveled to the Magic Kingdom

It was on THIS weekend that Tyra went on her first date

It was on THIS weekend that we explored

 the mountains of Shenandoah 

and the caverns of Luray

It is on THIS weekend that Tyra sent me comfort

 dressed as a rainbow

    I continue to be grateful for the gifts of THIS weekend.

           

                            

Soooo much in-between...

I was initially going to name this post "8 1/2 x 11". You see there is a Remembrance Service at the childrens hospital later this month for children who have died while in their care. As a part of this service they put together a memory book in which each family has an 8 1/2 x 11 page on which to honor their child. Please don't get me wrong, this is an amazing service and I am so very grateful to have Tyra remembered on this day and in this book along with the many other children who have also left this physical world. I attended last year and took great 'comfort' in the community of families who were traveling this journey. I was however saddened at trying to capture Tyra's life on this 8 1/2 x 11 page, so final. As a part of the service they also have a slide show displaying each child's photo. Again, I was saddened that my favorite photo of Tyra is the same as last years. There will be no new photos of my sweet girl.

But today instead of focusing on this 8 1/2 x 11 page I am reminded of a quote by Viktor Frankl -

" Everything can be taken from a man or a woman but one thing: the last of human freedoms to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way." 

So today I choose to focus on the SOOOO MUCH IN-BETWEEN. At Tyra's service our dear friend Mr. Alston spoke of the dash, that little line between ones date of birth and date of death. Oh what a dash Tyra had. It was full of awesome adventures, amazing experiences, but most importantly everlasting relationships.

Tyra was a friend, a best friend, a girlfriend even (Just ask Glenn).
She was a student, to teachers who had great expectations - challenging themselves and her along the way.
She was a patient; to doctors, nurses, and therapists who came to know, respect, and love her as more than a collection of signs & symptoms.

Tyra is part of a FAMILY. She is a daughter, a sister, a niece, a grandchild, and she is now an Aunt to a precious little boy.     

I dare to say that through her dash she has become the best part of many wonderful peoples in-betweens!

SOOOO MUCH, indeed.

Once Upon a Time...

there lived an amazing little girl.

 Her smile a gift to the eye.

 Her laugh a treasure to the ear.

Her JOY a blessing to the world.

Happily... we lived, together.    

Ever After...
not the ending I would have written but
Ever After she will live in my heart
Ever After I will share her story
Ever After I will thank God for allowing me to be her Mother 

Forever the TEACHER...

I've spent many days and nights over the past few weeks at the bedside of a very special friend while he struggles with some complex medical issues. Watching this amazing soul undergo procedures and testing with such pure trust and bravery I am reminded of my sweet girl. Both of them without words but with so much to say if only people take the time to listen. My job - my duty - my passion is to ensure that they are heard!

During this recent journey people at the hospital have said things  like "oh, you know just what to do" or "wow, you've got this down". I think to myself IF ONLY THEY KNEW. So yes, I am proficient at transfering someone from bed to stretcher with multiple tubes attached - and yes, I am well versed in the lingo and inpatient ways. Sure I learned these things during the many weeks Tyra spent at AI duPont. It made me so sad to think that this 'skill set' arose from her most difficult of times.

Then I thought and took comfort in the many other lessons of Tyra. She taught me how to advocate on a whole new level. At times I called myself her agent. It was not and is not just about making sure the proper care is provided but making sure the care is provided to the unique, valued person lying in the bed. She had has a name as does my friend. She had has a story as does my friend. She had has many people who love her as does my friend. Many times both during and after Tyra's hospitalization people would say "she taught me so much".

People have gotten to know my friend. They have come to care not just for him but about him.

I believe they HEAR him!

 Thank-you Tyra for continuing to teach. I am so grateful to have been your student.      

SPRING TRAINING...

     

On this first weekend of Spring my mind wanders to ballfields. In 1999, Tyra became one of the founding players on the Delmar Challengers Little League team - Thanks to Coach Dawn for bringing this to our area. A truly selfless undertaking given that she did not have a child playing on the team. Coach Dawn's family and friends often outnumbered the players that first season.

                                 

           How cool that Tyra's walker coordinated with the uniform.

 (No, we didn't plan it that way).  

  

 In this division each child is paired with a buddy. What great buddies Tyra had in Miss Soozie, Miss Kim, and several 'pinch hitters'. Her big sis Tisha joined us one summer as a buddy for Tyra's teammates. She was always Tyra's buddy off the fields so we agreed to share her during games.

In true Tyra form - she loved to fly around the bases the faster the better, especially if it meant rounding 3rd on 2 wheels. Also in true Tyra form emerged the DIVA. As much as she loved the DIAMOND my girl was not much for hanging in the outfield. The whole hot, dusty, sweaty thing was not very DIVA. She could often be seen in the outfield getting fanned by her buddy - yes DIVA. As the team grew so did the length of innings. It was great that so many kids were able to take part in this truly American past-time. Tyra retired her jersey after four seasons having made awesome friends and memories.
                               

Here's to Spring training, Spring cleaning and dusting off some amazing memories.

TOUCH...

"Some people reach for your hand and touch your heart"

A year ago this morning some very kind staff at AI duPont made this casting of Tyra's hand.

Later that evening I held Tyra in my arms as she took her final breaths.

Together always...

Tyra touched many lives. Like this handprint her impression remains and

in my heart she will forever live.