We Laughed, We Cried ...

Mom, Grandma, Me, Katie and Amy

...and a good time was had by all!

Another fabulous "family" weekend. This was definitely not the plan, but Amy called me as I was driving up Route 17/I-86 on Friday morning. Since I was not yet to Binghamton (where I-81 heads north toward Syracuse), we both decided that I would take the detour and pick her up! We had a Thelma and Louise (without the cliff at the end) ride back to Erie in the TT! What fun!

At home: lots of wine, laughs, games, and family stuff. We taught dad how to use the remote control on the DVR while watching the final stages of the Tour de France. He didn't know that he had the power to pause/rewind/etc. live TV. What a hoot! Watch out Nancy...your TV viewing will never be the same again. A man with a remote!!!

We all went to the 63rd Annual Turner Family Reunion, me, for the first time in at least 30 years. There I was reminded (how does one "forget" these things?) that we are documented, direct-line descendents of, not just of the Mayflower, but of Gov. Wm. Bradford. Very cool. Each year, there's a reading of the "minutes" from the previous year's reunion. For 63 years, the closing line of the family minutes: "...and a good time was had by all." Well said, and true for this group.

Sunday was the Tracy Tribute. She delivered, as promised! Anna led a brief memorial service with prayer and stories shared by the group. We laughed, we cried and we laughed some more. This time, she didn't just bring us together. She brought us closer. Much closer.

Donald wants to do same for Tracy's birthday every year. How can we not?

Happy Birthday Trixie!

Today, July 22, would have been Tracy's 46th birthday.

Happy Birthday, Girl!!!

A birthday didn't pass between the two of us where we wouldn't send one of those silly e-cards. In January, she sent me a birthday card with a singing Golden Retriever...looked just like Hogan (except that he doesn't really sing)!

Speaking of cards, I kept getting those e-minders this week about her birthday coming up. I wanted to hit 'reply' and tell them, "Hey, don't you think that I've been thinking about her every single day? Quit harassing me, already!"

Trace had the most incredible wit--something that I always aspired to as a kid. I'd sit in a room and listen to her and think, "sheesh, she's really funny...I wish I could be that funny!" I've been thinking about that a lot since she's been gone. What a gift she gave all of us: a sense of humor that was worth aspiring to! I'd like to think that it helps me in my job from time to time!

This weekend, we are gathering in Erie to celebrate Tracy's life -- a memorial service, of sorts. Donald and others thought it was appropriate to pick her birthday as a time for us all to say good-bye. In style. With a big party! I'll be wearing my pink ribbon for Trixie.

A friend sent me one of those "feel good" e-mails about a week after Tracy passed. I'm pasting an excerpt. Anyone who loves someone else needs to read it...

As she was battling cancer, one of my close friends remarked that in one
sense the past year had been one of her best; she’d seen more of her friends
than ever. Not long before she died this month, Sarah wrote in a website her
friends had set up for her: “I probably had a better week this week than anyone!
Picture having a gourmet dinner and chocolate cake appear at your door . . .
Imagine getting calls from two of your best friends in the world to see if you
had time for tea or coffee . . . Visualize Suzanne hand-delivering ingredients
and recipe for a wonderful meal Friday . . . Tomorrow: a mother/daughter party
planned by Patty. It’s weeks like this that make me feel everyone should try
cancer. At least for a week!’’

Her birthday came four days after she died. Instead of the party we had planned, her friends met at a pub. We set her framed photo at the head of the table, toasted her and told our favorite Sarah
stories. I could just hear her saying: “OK, girlfriends. I’m still with you, and I always will be. Now, who wants dessert?’’

So, girl, here's your picture...the one with the hot blondie wig! You can be sure there'll be stories galore. And, as usual, you will have us laughing till we cry.

Now, where's that dessert?