In Loving Memory . . .

I took this picture almost three years ago. It was an "Adventure Friday" summer day with Ethan. The adventure of the week was hitting mom's old stomping grounds. First stop: Rosendale Elementary School to what I referred to as "The Most Awesome Wooden Playground ever!" Only, to my surprise, upon turning into the school, it was gone. Major letdown. However, my disappointment was quickly replaced with joy at what stood in its place . . . The Awesomest Playground EVER! We both gasped at the most incredible display to ever grace school grounds! Ethan speedily ran ahead to sample the mini Disney World. My feet were greeted by a brick walkway with various names of families who probably donated large sums of money to build this wonderland. One name, however, stood out. Joan Keating. Not just Joan Keating, but "In Loving Memory" of her. Instantly, a wave of sadness soared through my body and my mind flashed back. 1982: As an awkward 7th grader with large circular-framed, tinted glasses that donned my initials in the lower left-hand corner, I decided to give Pop Warner cheerleading a try. I remember being in awe when three older high school girls walked in to help coach this Junior Midget. Joan Keating was one of those girls. Smiley. Peppy. Sweet. Vibrant. Beautiful. Joan Keating was the cheerleader I hoped to be when I got to high school. Only, I did not continue to pursue cheerleading after that year. I was bad at it. But Joan Keating left an impression on me. When I was a freshman, she was a senior, and I was still in awe. I never "knew" her, but when I saw that brick on the walkway I "felt" her. I took the picture. I felt the need to know what happened to her, so I called some high school friends. I found out she died of cancer. A sad realization. It stuck with me. Just last week I came across this picture again and, I don't know why, but I felt a need to find out more. I googled her and found her obituary. She died of breast cancer. She left behind a husband, four children and a huge family ten years ago. She fought hard, no doubt with the spirit of world class cheerleader. In loving memory of a fellow Niskayuna Silver Warrior I will not soon forget.

Bucket List

Do a lot of people have bucket lists? I guess one could serve as a double edged sword. Don't get me wrong, I like the idea of having lists. I am a list girl. I like the feeling of accomplishment. I am an accomplishments girl. But do I really want the pressure of achieving a random list of outlandish feats at a time when outlandish feats might be difficult to accomplish or is that the challenge I must put forth to myself? So I sat down to think of all the places I want to go, all the weird food I want to sample, and all famous people I want to meet. But my mind kept coming up blank. My husband always says he feels bad that we've never "done" anything, but I laugh because I think we've done a lot. No, we've never been out of the country. No, we've never taken up ballroom dancing. No, we've never been on The Amazing Race. But that's not the kind of girl I am. I am the girl whose favorite vacation growing up was a long weekend at Saratoga Lake in a rented, musty, mosquito-filled cabin with no television. It wasn't about the vacation, it was about having both my parents and my sister's undivided attention for those few days. It is truly my most favorite childhood memory. I am the girl who backed out of a Chicago trip with her six best friends from high school because my breaking heart wouldn't let me leave my six-month-old baby without his mother for a few days. I feared being in a plane crash. I feared selfishly leaving my family and not being able to return. I am the girl who gets anxiety when her husband and son are out for some dude-time because I feel left out and just want them to come home. And now I'm left with a jealous feeling that they will have their whole lives together and I will be left out. So this list is plaguing me. It should be grand! It should be make headlines! It should be featured on Ellen! Still drawing a blank. This is all I've got: My Bucket List 1. Go to Disney . . . this is actually in the works! 2. Renew my wedding vows for our 15th wedding anniversary this summer. 3. To Be Continued . . .