Pictures for Terri

Cathy spent the last week in Idaho renewing her bond with three of her BFF's from high school. Terri, Kim, Holley, and Cathy might have been apart for most of 30 years but their hearts and minds were always connected. The four days together was powerful medicine for Cathy. Terri came up with the idea of having Cathy come visit her for some rest and relaxation. Cathy does not like being away from home and the trip through Minneapolis was last made with Aaron by her side so she was anxious about going. Had she found a way out, Cathy said she would have cancelled. She didn't and Cathy will be forever grateful. The trip was the absolute best.

Friends from our youth are special. They are part of who we are. These three friends live in Idaho, Oklahoma, and Florida. They could not be here for Aaron's funeral and now was the right time for them to be there for Cathy. I know that friends come in at just the right time. Last year would not have been the right time for Holley, Kim, and Terri to be there for Cathy. The year before was not the right time, but this year was perfect. Four days of laughing, crying, remembering, making new memories, and planning new adventures with loving friends opened a new door for Cathy. She's holding her head higher today. Cathy doesn't know what it was about the visit that made such an impact on her but she knows going there was the right thing to do and she feels the love of her friends healing her grief.

Terri told Cathy that she reads this blog and likes the "ones with pictures the best". So, Terri--I give you pictures. Aaron at the rushing water was taken in OR in April '04. The platform is a memorial to a young man who had died. We wondered what had happened. Was it a kayaking accident at the rapids? We didn't find out. Aaron probably knows today.

The other two pics are from August '04 at MBA. Notice how Aaron is holding his pants up with one hand and a book in the other. This was a time when Aaron was doing a lot of reading and personal growth. Aaron was a content young man that weekend. He was breaking from his past and was contemplating his life. The picture of Cathy leading the boys on the path is priceless. Cathy and her boys. I thought they would be together forever.