2024
Jonathanās 40th Birthday!
Valerieās Birthday!
St. Patrickās Day
Bruce Selfie Before Church
USS KIDD Documentary
First GodFather Visit to Georgia
Niece Jordis Graduation
Motherās Day
After Work Dinner
38th Birthday Celebration
Astros Game in Boston
WW2 Reenactment in Linden,TN
WW2 Vet in Linden, TN
WW2 Vet in Paris, France
Small Group From Church
Trangs Birthday Dinner
Thanksgiving With Sister and Nieces
Joeys Surprise 40th Birthday Party
Church Choir For Christmas
Wiley Family Christmas
Thanks everyone for the Happy Birthday Wishes! Iād like to give a shout out to my friend Deirdre Peterson for her amazing heart and caring spirit. She took it upon herself to reach out to a few people and co workers to have a little get together for me.
Day one of my trip. Barely off the plane and I met Bob Sargent. He was 17 when he joined the navy. I asked if I could shake his hand and take a picture. I told him how grateful I was for everything. We struck up a conversation about the USS KIDD Veterans Museum and he was impressed at the preservation work thatās happening. I only got a few words with him, but it meant the world to me.
Thank You Bob
I forgot to mention, Bob had jokes too. I said, āyou headed to Normandy. He was was like āyeah, but I been there beforeā¦ā¦.in 1944ā
A day later and a different airline and Iām back on track for my Normandy tripā¦.hopefully š¤.
Some of you may know but if you didnāt, Valerie designed the Fluerty Girls logo. I rarely get to visit the shop in the airport because itās on the other side of southwest. So, today was a treat.
This trip to Normandy is a big deal for me. Itās growth in a lot of ways. I canāt tell you how much I donāt want to do this trip alone. Traveling alone brings heavy thoughts and reminders of those Iāve lost. But I also try to hear their voice encouraging me forward. Life is short, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
I donāt expect life changing outcomes from this trip. But I do hope for continued internal realization. āYou feel alone but your never aloneā and āis this decision making you better and helping you to become the person you want to be.ā
Iād say so.
Sometimes it feels like my feed is nothing but remembering those Iāve lost. Itās been 2 years without you Val. Healing and grieving continue to be a process. Valerie was a big fan of Jurassic Park/World. āBlueā the raptor was her favorite of them all. I gifted her a baby Blue figure and it tends to find its way in my bag for my travels. I wish she could have had the chance to see JW3. And I wish it was her joining me on these adventures.
Iām not sure how long Iām going to continue to bring this little raptor with me to different places but itās brought me some joy and peace.
