Ten years ago today...

I had a group of students in orientation for Literacy Lab when the phone rang in the library at Moraine Meadows. It was Melissa. "MOM. Turn on your tv. A plane just hit the World Trade Center!" That was how I first found out about the events of that day...my students were second graders, so I didn't leave it on but for a couple of minutes. I took them back to their classroom, and went to the office to tell them. We were told to leave the tv's off and not talk about it. Parents came to school to pick up their kids and take them home...Nick called and said "WHAT IN THE HELL IS GOING ON???" He was at Akron at the time - the Saturday before Akron had played Ohio State. I remember going home and looking up and how odd it seemed that there were no planes in the sky. For several days.
When Melissa came home from work that night, we went to St. Mary's (church) on Xenia Avenue. They had a service that night - there were a lot of people there...like, there was nothing you could do but pray.

Ten years ago...she was HERE.
It's all STILL so unbelievable.

It amazes me how we can go through such traumatic events in our lives and
go on. 9-11...Cancer...but somehow we do. One day at a time....
and with the help of friends, family and for me - my grandsons...and memories
of better times - like the HOLIDAY at HOME Labor Day celebration every year...
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Another event Fort LOVED...the Holiday at Home parade. Her last one was 3 years ago...she posted all about it - even posted information about the Clydesdales - they were in the parade that year. She loved the craft show at Lincoln Park after the parade too...another holiday...not the same without her. But we go because SHE loved it...now the boys love it too!

Nick, Mere and the boys at the parade


Pam-ma with Drew & Max...having fun at the parade!


Saw two of my former students (from Moraine Meadows) in the parade...and yes...they are GIRLS...playing football! I love it!


Drew's first friend...


Drew gettin' a feel for driving a firetruck...


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These are some our friends from Compassionate Friends. The 5K was in honor of Cameron, the son of Chad & Tonya. He was having a routine surgery and there were complications and he died in surgery. He was only 18. The proceeds of the 5K go to A Special Wish Foundation. BEAUTIFUL day, great friends...


Sharon & Pam (training in a 5K for the BIG walk in October!)


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Funny story...(Fort would post this, she LOVED stories like this about her dad...)
We've had a pretty large branch hanging by a thread from our tree in the front yard -
ever since the wind storm back in August. It's probably 10-15 long, hanging right in front of the bay window. Leaves are dead and it looks terrible - so he decided the other day to try to get it down. He had this rope with a heavy metal hook tied to one end...kept throwing it up into the tree to try to wrap the rope around the branch to pull it down. He must have done it 3 or 4 times with no success. (I was in the house all this time). On the last try - he heard a cracking sound, looked over, and the window on the driver side of his car was shattered. He came in the house and said "come here....I don't know WHAT happened, but my car window just broke." He finally figured out that there was a bolt tied to the same rope he was throwing up in the tree, and somehow the bolt came unattached and went flying...right into his car window.
So the next day, Nick stops by with the kids. I am telling Nick the story (and finally seeing the humor in it)and we are both laughing about it. We get in the house, and Drew says "tell me a story Pam-ma" (He loves stories...anything I make up..usually about firetrucks, firemen, dumptrucks) So I ask him, "what story do you want to hear?" His answer? "The one about pop-pop and the tree!"
(It's not the first time Donny has broken something that he WASN'T working on. One time, he was fixing the sink in the kitchen and broke the water softener in the basement.) Fortunately for me, he doesn't know how to post on this blog...otherwise you would probably here some stories about the many stupid things I've done in the past. I'm sure if you read anything Fort wrote - you'd find some of my faux pas there...you should go back and read HER writing anyway...she ALWAYS had something funny to write about!
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Coming up soon...
Saturday, September 17 - 6 p.m.- TEAM B POSITIVE Fundraiser...Tailgate party for the Ohio State Game at Talegator's on Far Hills in Kettering.
Door prizes, 50/50, baskets to bid on, $10 buffet (through halftime), $2 beers!
Join the fun and help raise funds for our 3 Day Walk next month!

VOLLEY FOR THE CURE Tuesday, September 27 @ Fairmont - vs. Beavercreek. Will be selling FORT bracelets, tickets for the Kelts Breast Cancer Fundraiser and hopefully getting donations for the 3 Day Walk!

Saturday, October 8 - 9th Annual Kelts Breast Cancer Fundraiser - HAPS IRISH PUB in Cinncinati. Raffles and lots of fun -
half the proceeds go to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, half to Melissa's Scholarship fund at Fairmont. THANKS PAULY & ELIZABETH and KELTS!!!!

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Like Fort, I love, love, love the fall...or I used to anyway. Love the weather,
football, watching her play rugby...missing her in the fall...and getting closer to the holidays...wishing I could just jump from October to February. Thankful for a wonderful husband, son, grandsons and daughter in law...and compassionate friends, and my sister...and remembering ALL the things I am thankful for.

Miss you every single day Melissa...love you pretty girl...

Enjoy the fall!