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July
6, 2006
Fourth of July is not the same any more
You
all know we used to go to Maine a lot and hang out with A &
M. And they split up. And now A, meaning Aaron, is out in Washington
State working for the forest service.
Today
is his birthday. And for the past several years July 1 to July 7
usually had some sort of Us and Them overlap for funness.
I automatically
associate the fourth of July with Aaron. The fact his birthday is
butt up against the holiday has a lot to do with it. The fact that
he loved to blow stuff up with wreckless abandon and have a huge
assed party is another.
The
most party we ever had was Pig Roast 2004. There is a Flickr
set of pictures from back then, as evidence here on the left
this is what it pretty much looked like the entire weekend. I was
using journalspace to write journal entries at that point so if
you want to go back and read
feel free to do so. And it totally reminds me that I need to
go through journalspace and pull out my good entries. Must remember
to do that... before the thing vanishes on me.
For
two straight summers, we rocked up the coast with a truck load of
fireworks purchased in New Hampshire. Aaron took up a collection
from friends up there so we had over 400 bucks to shoot off the
year of the pig roast. It was pretty awesome. We threw what I consider
to be one of the best parties ever that year. I wish I could do
it again this summer, but I know it wouldn't be the same. Whether
I did it here in my backyard, or up there, or in Utah. It's just
not ever going to be the same without Aaron around.
The
best part was always the planning. The phone call in March that
said "I have this crazy idea for the fourth of July..."
and then the building, plotting, scheming that surrounded the execution
of the plan.
We
haven't heard from Aaron since March. And I've sent him several
emails to touch base. I know he's remote but the last time he was
stationed in this particular area he called once in a while or went
to town to check email at the library. I've talked to his mom more
in the past couple of months than to him.
I miss
him horribly. I was thinking about the eulogy that Doug's uncle
John got from his best friend, and he summed up everything I feel
about missing someone, and having only memories, albeit pretty good
ones, to hold on to. I sometimes feel like he and M are dead, because
I never hear from them and it is really like a vast gully of sad
in my heart.
Anyway.
Happy Birthday Aaron. I know you're not reading this, but you know
we love you and hope it was a good one, with whomever you're celebrating
and with whatever methods. Be good, be well.
I miss
M too, because she was pretty much my girl confidant. I have always
had Carrie and my sister, but because Aaron and I were such good
friends I built this great friendship with Michelle and I knew I
could tell her anything like she could tell me anything. And I miss
that. I'm glad I have two really good girlfriends still -- not sure
what I'd do without.
Meh.
Kind of sad.
On
another note -- we settled on a name for puppy. She is now Brodie
officially.
Geoff
wanted to name her Brady, Staley, Favre... someone has football
on the brain.
We
thought about Greta, Chan, Hey You Quit Crapping On My Floor!, and
there were others. But Brodie seems to suit her well.
She
has a doctor's appointment this afternoon. Get updated on some shots
and get a physical from our vet and go forward.
And
on yet another note - Amy had to put her cat Buford down this past
week. A lot of my readers are friends but may not be aware. After
a prolonged sickness and a series of different ailments, Buford
just wasn't going to be able to sustain the strength of more medical
procedures.
I believe
Amy made the best and wisest decision for her kitty and for herself...
I often think of myself in that position, the cat's position, and
wonder if someone would have mercy on me. I wish sometimes we could
actually do that for other humans if they've made their desires
clear. Buford couldn't speak for himself, and let her know, but
she knew for him. A hard and brave decision. I commend her for that.
Buford
was a good cat. The skinniest persian ever, in a totally vogue sort
of way. He had wonderfully soft fur and was the best color ever.
He would lay across the keyboard while Amy would try and type. She'd
email me pictures of him doing this and it would totally crack me
right up. He would do these really cute paw presses against her
feet, kneeding softly and purring loudly. He was an indoor cat who
loved the adventure of time out doors, even in the snow! He was
a stellar cat.
Amy
could use your mojo. It's not expected that she get over this quickly.
This was a long and hard process and we all mourn differently -
I just hope for a smooth healing of her broken heart at this point.
Mojo, babe. Comin' your way.
Alright
-- gotta puppy wrangle now. More later.
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