Putting together the pieces~

Slowly and surely, time is passing and we are all coping the best we can, given the circumstances. Yes, there is still shock, sadness, and intense grief. However...the sun continues to rise every morning....the ocean waves continue to kiss the sand...and life slowly lumbers forward. I've come to accept the fact that things will always be a little different...that's just how this is.

And that's okay~

I can deal with that. I don't like it... but with this incident, I think all of us - we have all lost a little bit of ourselves, a little bit of the belief that 'Everything Will Be Okay'...it wasn't just a helicopter that crashed. Our lives came crashing down around us, and we are left managing and dealing the best that we can, given the circumstances. One day it will make sense - for you and for me.

But every time I get sad, I remind myself that the sun will continue to rise and set...that the ocean will continue to sing her song...and that there is so much beauty in the world - just waiting to be discovered.

In the interim, I've tried to focus on the lighter side of things... sometimes the distraction works, and other times - well, at least I tried. But between the Shitty Kitty wearing her Cone of Shame one day... and the flat front car tire that happily greeted me Sunday morning - I can't help but stand back and shake my head.

When life hands you lemons - you make lemonade. And then add a quart of vodka. And then things are slightly better. But only slightly.

But before you worry - no, sadly I can't drown my sorrows in liquor like any sane person. I've got my lovely DVT/PE to consider. The Coumadin + Healthy Dose of Sarcasm seems to be doing the trick, as best as it can.

On the flip side, I've been grateful for the outpouring of support. The families of the fallen Marines have been deeply touched... my squadron friends are all being UBER supportive of each other...but on a more personal level, so many of my triathlete friends have reached out to me.

I can't tell you how much this has meant to me and Nathaniel.

Last year was tough - from the standpoint that I just wasn't ever here. Early nights and earlier mornings were not conducive to happiness on all fronts. But he was so supportive - through the ups and downs of training (which we ALL deal with). And even though he didn't always like my 8-hour Saturday workouts, he's been deeply touched by the friendships and connections this sport has to offer. And the outpouring of support that my friends and readers have continued to show.

And for that - thank you.

I've always tried to be as honest and upfront as I could be through this blog. Right now, I wish this wasn't happening... this entire year has been one of the most difficult of my life. But...I'm hanging in there. And as difficult as it's been for me, I'm grateful for all that I DO have... because I know that there are so many others who would trade in a heartbeat.

If I've said it before, I'll say it again... hug your family, tell your friends that you love them, and don't sweat the small stuff. And at the end of the day, as hard as life is (with those Total Shit Times) - the sun will continue to rise, and the ocean will continue to sing her sweet song....

And everything else is just icing on the proverbial sheet cake.