LEFT PHOTO: Pat Tillman MIDDLE PHOTO: Heidi and Mom RIGHT PHOTO: My sister, Holly and Me
Hard week—But only if I focus on the death part.
I am choosing to remember the good today.
• Monday, April 22nd was the day Pat Tillman was killed—my stepson’s brother-in-law and also, the death that took me to the bottom of my drinking in 2004.
• Tuesday, April 23rd was the day my mother died in 2015.
• Today, April 26th, would have been my sister’s 66th birthday. Holly died last year in May.
Instead of being sad and depressed, I am choosing to remember all of the good and NOT drink!
For Pat—I choose to remember the ultimate sacrifice he made for others by his own choice. The Pat’s Run in Arizona is this weekend that raises money for Military families and for Tillman Scholars.
For my Mom—I choose to remember all of the wisdom she shared with me and her unconditional love that brought me through many trials—including being there when I got sober almost 15 years ago.
For my sister, I choose to remember what buddies we were as kids. How we laughed and cried throughout our lives. How we did silly stuff together. Being only 14 months apart in age, we were much like twins.
I choose life. I choose to remember and carry them forward with me every day. Those memories are mine to keep forever. Nobody can take them away.
This weekend, we have the privilege of babysitting our grandsons’ dog, Woody, as the family goes off to Arizona for Pat’s Run. Dash, my 8-year-old labradoodle will be thrilled. My almost 17-year-old Diamond girl doggy will ignore them both and sleep. It will be a wonderful 3-dog weekend.
My heart is full of the joy of my memories.
I am blessed. I am sober to feel it all. I am grateful.
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”
Psalm 23:4
Dash, Diamond and Woody
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