| June 28, 2005 Tuesday Hi to all. As we made it through Paige's Birthday on June 21st and quickly approach June 30th everything still seems so unreal and we face such a mix of emotions. I find myself reliving what was happening a year ago at this time through our journals and pictures. It's still hard to believe that all of this has happened and these last 12 months are almost a blur. It's a very sad, uneasy feeling and very hard to describe. I can't speak for Andy, but I'm such an "Anniversary" person and have a good memory of dates of special and sad times in my life. I actually think the anticipation of any sad anniversary day is harder than the day itself. Last week I found myself dreading her birthday, trying to figure out how the day would play out. To make this time more difficult than it already was we received a call from Andy's parents early Saturday morning (June 18th) to say that Andy's Grandmother ("Gimmy") passed away earlier that morning around breakfast time. She had apparently been down to breakfast and laughing and making jokes with everyone when she collapsed. By the time Mina and Jack arrived a few minutes later she was already gone. While we are so sad at the loss of our wonderful Gimmy, we are relieved that she did not suffer. We're so glad that we went to see her at Easter time and what a wonderful visit we had. Andy and I spent some time with her just talking about everything. She was definitely not your typical 94 year old. We shared a lot of laughs and cries talking about Paige and looking at her scrapbook. I vividly remember the last day Andy & I visited her. She said to both of us with a little smile, "Well kids, it looks like I'm going to see our dear little Paige first." It was so hard to leave that day, because I think we all knew it would be the last time. We will forever cherish our time with her. We went back to Greensburg (PA) on Monday the 20th and then on to State College for the day on Wednesday the 22nd for the funeral. We returned home on Thursday since we both returned to work on the weekend. It made for a busy week, but we're so glad we were able to be there. I have to admit I was a bit sad not being home on Paige's birthday, but it all worked out for the best. My mom, Aunt Carla and cousin Ashley took a big bouquet of princess balloons to the cemetery and e-mailed us a picture later that evening. On Friday we're going to Comerica Park with two other couples from work to see the Detroit Tigers play the New York Yankees. I'm sure it will be a fun time and the crowd will be crazy being that it's the start of the holiday weekend and a huge firework display will follow the game. Other than work we stay busy working in the yard and spending time with friends and family. Early this spring Andy enjoyed a week on his annual Kayaking trip to West Virginia with a group of friends. At the beginning of June I went up-north with some of the girls I graduated from high-school with. What a great time we all had! I don't think I've laughed that hard in years and by day two I'd practically lost my voice. We spent most of the day Saturday canoeing down the Ausable River and visited a local restaurant/bar and danced the night away to a live band. Boy did we stick out like a sore thumb with the locals :) It was a much needed trip by all and we plan to make it an annual event. Also, right around the corner is our trip to Hawaii. As I mentioned before, Andy's brother's wife Christina, well her sister Alex is getting married. We were so thrilled to be invited and decided make a vacation out of it. We were originally going to spend the entire time at the resort where the wedding will be and Andy's family will be staying. But, we decided we needed some time alone together and have added an extra 5 days at a resort on a different part of the island. It will be a great time :) The day after returning home I'll be meeting up again with my high-school friends to go to see Def Leppard and Brian Adams at the Oldsmobile Park in Lansing. The stadium is a minor league stadium where the Lansing Lugnuts play...just a cool atmosphere and seating is our choice - either in the stands or in the outfield. When I tell people about the concert they just give me this look like..."you don't look like a Def Leppard fan." It's now tradition and we've been to almost every concert Def Leppard has played in this area since our high school days. I can't even tell you how many we've been to, but they only get better and better. Then two days later will be my family reunion at my Mom's house. It's will be a fun and crazy few weeks :) Well, there's not much more to say. I know many of you wonder how we're doing. As difficult as it is, the only choice we have is to live in the present and look forward to the future. While Paige remains in our thoughts and will continue to be a part of our daily lives, we've learned that looking back and dwelling on the past only causes us more heartache. For now we try to remain optimistic, find some happiness in each day, and remain grateful that we had Paige for the short time we did. Again, we thank all of our wonderful family and friends for all of your love and support that you continue to send our way. We are truly blessed and grateful for each and every one of you :) Warmly, Andy & Sandi |
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