You left us just as the sun was setting on this very last day of August, thirteen years ago. I watched the sun go down out that hospital window while I held your hand. Ironically, it was so fitting as your favorite season was ending. You loved the summers...sitting out by the pool, reading the paper, and smoking a cigar. Planting flowers was your passion and then giving everyone who came over a tour of your gorgeous flower gardens. Black-eyed Susan's were your favorite flower (this is not his garden...I will insert his flower garden pictures as soon as I can find them)...
But I know you are still close by because you are always there when I need you. I miss you every single day Dad. Love you eternally.
LIFE GOES ON
It hit like a train, I ran out of words
I got nothing to say, everything hurts
And I know love leads to pain
But memories serve our sweetest refrain
The waves came tumbling down
As you float away, I'm reaching for you
To tell me how
How my life goes on with you gone
I suppose I'll sink like a stone
If you leave me now The storms will roll
Easy come, hard go
Then life goes on
I miss the flames, the heated reserve I remember the way that you put me first
What a heart wrenching shame that you'll never know
Just like tears in the rain
A constant grey in the clouds
When I hear your name, I think of love
So tell me how
How my life goes on with you gone
I suppose I'll sink like a stone
If you leave me now The storms will roll
Easy come, hard go
Then life goes on
I watched the sun setting down
I am so afraid, I need you now
To tell me how
How my life goes on with you gone
I suppose I'll sink like a stone
If you leave me now The storms will roll
Easy come, hard go
Then life goes on
Happy 21st Birthday to Julia! We didn't get to see her on her actual birthday which was yesterday. She was busy doing community service pulling weeds (haha)...
and dancing with her teammates learning sidelines for their first football game this Saturday. Last night she had lots of fun with some of her teammates celebrating her big day. She went to the liquor store to buy for the very first time. I have to document this stuff. I'm so glad she shares these pictures with me. It's a rite of passage!!
She had today off as it was move in day for the rest of the Gulls. So Danny and I drove up to see her new room. It's so nice! She loves her dorm this year. They have so much more room as it's only a double. And they have their own bathroom again which is so awesome. I love how they've decorated it so far...
Then we walked over to see the brand new dance studio. Just look at all that natural light...
another angle...
Then we walked over to the brand new nursing building...
It is fantastic!! The views out all the windows are incredible...
They have a whole floor that simulates a hospital...Endicott Hospital!!
All state of the art equipment with so many rooms for hands on practicing...
Then we had a fabulous dinner at Toscana's in downtown Beverly. She ordered this yummy drink...
which she barely drank : ) And the waitress brought over this yummy birthday dessert on the house...
Then we dropped her off : (
It's OK...we'll see her this Saturday!! I know I've said this a bunch of times already...but she's one lucky girl. Endicott was the absolute BEST decision she ever made!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JULIA!! I've enjoyed the heck out of every single year of your life and I can't wait to enjoy many more!! I love you my beautiful daughter!!
Julia is at her 5-day...all-day long...dance pre-season. They're learning all the sidelines and half time performances for the football games. First game is next weekend! Yay!! Hoping for a beautiful day!
Yesterday was media day. They did their headshots and group shots like this...
And our girl was featured on the EDCT Instagram and FB stories yesterday. They're dancing in the brand new studio space! Go Julia...
All three kids are now settled into college. We are officially Empty Nesters : (
Nicholas left first on August 15th. He was so sweet to stay home to celebrate my birthday with me. He and Danny drove out to Louisville the next morning and then Danny flew back home. He's starting his second year at University of Louisville. He's technically a second semester sophomore now. Nicholas put up a new TV in his room as well as some LED lights. Here he is all cozy in his bed...
He loves his room in his hockey house. I mean really...who wouldn't? He has a really big room all to himself with a full size bed and his own bathroom. I'm really going to miss his hugs while he's away from home. He was so sweet and gave me extra hugs the days leading up to him leaving again. He always checks in with me though while he's away and I know he will call me when I ask him to. He's my sweetest boy and I love him so much.
Then Julia and Gianna both left yesterday. Julia's starting her junior year at Endicott College and Gianna is a freshman at Sacred Heart University. It really stunk that they both had the same move in day. Julia's roommate was kind enough to drive up with her and help her move in. Of course we had to be with Gianna as she's a freshman. Julia is in the dorm right next to the one she was in last year, but this one is a little newer and she's in a double instead of a triple. She also has her own bathroom again. It's so nice!!
Julia's fully packed car...
I tried to get some send off pictures but she was laughing so hard not wanting me to take pictures...but of course I did anyway...
I love her so much and I'm really really really going to miss having her home. She's my buddy who will always go with me to any store...and get our nails done together...and go to the movies together...and watch TV together : ( We'll be seeing a lot of her as her big 21st birthday is next week and then a bunch of football games coming up too. I love that she's only an hour away! She starts a new clinical this semester plus they just opened a brand new gorgeous nursing building! Not only that, the dance team has a brand new dance studio!
Her "coastal" themed dorm room...
First look at her new dorm room...
And she said "At least it's not an ugly view!" Say what??? That's an amazing view!! And if the leaves fall off those trees she may be able to see the ocean!
The new dance studio...
She is one fortunate girl let me tell you. Beautiful seaside campus, really nice dorm room, the nicest roommate, brand new nursing building, brand new dance studio, amazing clinical opportunities and she's on a nationally ranked competitive college dance team. Just WOW!
Then it was time to head to Sacred Heart to drop of our baby, Miss Gianna Mae. I'm trying so hard not to let my emotions get the best of me. Yesterday, I just kept focused on the task of moving her in and getting her settled. Then I listened to my favorite audiobook all the way home. I'm trying to stay really busy today too!! But man...this one was so very hard...
She's in a triple. At first I was like...oh my goodness this room is going to be way too small and crowded...but honestly it's going to be fine...
They put up LED lights after we left and she also has some lights to put around her bed too. She's also getting some prints for her wall. I love that they have a full wall of windows! The bathroom and laundry room are right across the hall and there's a kitchen right next door too...
They're doing a lot of work on the grounds surrounding her dorm so it's going to look really pretty in the spring...
A little dorm tour...still a bit messy as they were still settling in...
I'm secretly pretending she's up in her room sleeping or just at the dance studio down the street. It hurts my heart too much knowing she is two hours away living this new life. But she has facetimed me and texted me to fill me in a bit on what she's been doing. I love and miss her so much it hurts.
I honestly didn't cry the whole day until Patty came over with a flower, my favorite bottle of wine and a six pack of beer for Danny. That's why she's my best friend...
Oh my babies...they are off and learning and growing...just the way it should be...and I am so very proud of them!!
Julia just got back from her 3rd UDA Camp. This year they were back in Scranton, PA. She had a blast but was completely exhausted. She worked so hard!
On a personal note, the UDA staff had all the kids from every college (there were a lot this year) split up by grade (freshman, sophomores, juniors and seniors). They taught them a short routine and then they had to all perform it at the same time with their grade levels. The UDA staff would tap only a few kids on the shoulder and had them step aside. Turns out if you got tapped, you were selected as one of the best and then they got to perform in a little showcase improv! Julia was the only junior from her team to get picked as well as only one of three that got picked from her team! What an honor!! Here's her improv. I just love her confidence!!
Her team received blue ribbons for their gameday routine which is posted below. She had so much fun bonding with her team! What amazing memories she's making!! So proud of our girl and I'm really looking forward to this season!!
I had a lovely birthday this year. I happened to glance at my phone that morning and what did I see..
Haha!!
Danny gave me the most beautiful flowers...
I got calls from my brother, sisters and Maureen V. All my friends sent me texts and even my old roommate from Dean sent me a note on messenger! So sweet. Me, Danny, Gianna, Nicholas and CeCe (Julia was on her way home from UDA Camp in PA) went to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner. Afterwards, Patty came over for some wine and I blew out my candle on some cheesecake...
My kids gave me the nicest cards. Gianna's was very funny and Nicholas and Julia's were so heartfelt this year. That's how you know they are now adults. : )
I feel so loved by my people.
In true form, I thought I was videotaping when in fact I was not so we had to redo "Happy Birthday"...haha!!
