Address Book

My address book has changed drastically since last April.  I've been told this can happen, but it has taken me by surprise how different it looks. There has been some long time friends and family members that we have not heard from, but for the most part the numbers have gone up substantially.

I think Dave describes it best when he talks about this new path we have been placed on, and you are either on this path with us, or occasionally merge on to it, or you are not.  We can't be angry or hurt that some choose not to, we just don't have the time nor the energy to be.

Some joined us immediately when they showed up to the wake and funeral, we may not have known them then, but have had an opportunity to get to know many of them since.  One in particular we met last week at a Patriot Guard get together, she has been walking this path with us silently and unseen.  Janell is a mother of an Army soldier about the same age as Curtis.  After hearing about Curtis' death she knew she needed to do something, so she quietly attended his funeral.  After seeing the dignity of the Patriot Guard she soon joined them.  It makes me feel good that Curtis had such an impact on people he never knew.  Her story of her first mission while relearning to maneuver a bike is hilarious!   Every member of the Patriot Guard has a story and a big heart, I am so glad I get to hang out with them, and grateful to call them my friends. 

Gold Star families are another group that has filled my book.  It is a group none of us ever wanted to be part of, but it is where we ended up.  For us this path is not a walk, it is a march, but so many are enduring it with grace and dignity.  The support, advice and tears I share with them have gotten me further than I could have alone.  Jamie is a wonderful young lady we have met that lost her brother a few years ago.  She moved here from Florida shortly after his death, but talked to very few people about it.  She wrote on Curtis' memorial wall and she and Dave started a rapport.  She has since visited us several times and opened up about her experience.  I believe this has helped her to deal with her brothers death better, and we have gained another friend.

There are so many more I feel blessed to have met, so many caring people that I would have never known.  My book may be full, but I can always find more space for people like this.