time marches

my friend Brad died the night of May 13th.  his memorial service was full of love and extremely touching.  several friends gave eulogies and his father read a poem.  a woman sang a beautiful rendition of Over the Rainbow and What a Wonderful World in medley.  he was one very special man and the hundreds and hundreds of people who came to the service were only a small portion of the number of people whose lives he touched. 

today I made a CD of a hundred and fifty photos I have of Brad- I made it for his dad who requested it when we went to the shiva.  posted just above is one that was our favorite photo of our years of friendship.  it was taken in 1984 so Brad would have been turning 23 I think- it was his birthday party - given at his parents house - it was the first time I had skirt steak (a Chicago favorite) and we always called this our "lea & perrins and pineapple" campaign photo-

since the week I returned from Phoenix I have been super busy and it started with the memorial service.

one of the things this loss and the loss of my sister and my mom all in less than a year has really brought home to me is how precious time is- so while I did several days of  board meetings we still managed to find time to see our friend Neil twice for diner and to have out of town company from Atlanta for a weekend, along with having our friend Tom visit from Denver. then catching up with Sheila and Mary while watching the Bulls disappoint their fans in the playoffs against the Heat. 

we also packed in a play - fabulous work called the OUTGOING TIDE- also about time and end of life choices.  oh and had a party for fourteen at our house yesterday.  so while I am a bit behind on the blogging I have been working very diligently to keep up with my two jobs and my third temp job as my mom's executor (paperwork anyone?)

also putting the finishing touches on the Africa trip- reworking a part of our itinerary when we are on our own. anyway get ready for posts from the road and fun new pictures....

meanwhile I am going to add a few more of my buddy Brad because I had such a nice afternoon remembering all our good times...

with Mary Ellen Giffels and me at Jennifer Cayer's wedding.

with Randy Freeman and Jill Stone at Lincoln Park Zoo

With Sam Krangle at a party at my house on Bellevue

with John Bjornton  and me at the Sound Board in an Insight Seminar

with Leslie Sann at a Halloween party

good times - great memories...for the last decade or more I have been very clear that I don't need anything more by way of physical stuff- what I have been focusing on has been experience. creating memories by being with people and doing new things.  when I was doing my Masters we had an exercise in creating a mission statement for ourselves.  my mission is to be a teacher and a student of the wonder of life.  some days I hold that focus quite nicely - other days it is more of a challenge - but oddly enough (not) Brad and I fit that mission perfectly - we were both each others students and each others teachers.  what a gift he was to me.

love always TOR

Brad and me and Jennifer Cayer at my MA graduation