Reni

gettin so big!! Have a super happy day!!

I don't think anyone has a problem with people working hard to move up the ladder - I think some people take issue with the fact that the ladder is available for some and not others due to racial, gender and historical systematic inequalities. I am usually pretty happy - but am pretty darn depressed right now. I guess that's normal when grieving the death of your kid's dad. So, nothing to do with ladders.

I am glad we don't have cable anymore - else I'd likely be glued to all the news channels, spewing obscenities at the television until I had to be dragged away by men in white suits......now, I just listen to the birds - it's much nicer.

Thank you for posting the photo Dunja. I continue to pray for your family and for your loss. My love is with you. If you ever want to talk or need anything, let me know. xoxo

hope it's a great one!!

You must not know any Jesuits, then.

to a great fella!!

I, too, can recommend Belize.

is the Ghostbusters car here to help or harm the ponies, though?

wow! 21!

I believe that the White Sox started that promo. There is a dog section for the day--they're not spread throughout the stadium. -Jorge

I hope you have a great day!! xoxoxoxo yay!!

http://www.legacy.com/ChicagoSuburbanNews/...sonId=108791924

there was a request for a picture of Brad. His sister just sent this to me. It is from a few years ago, but is Brad in his healthier, happier days doing a Tai Chi pose and being silly. He LOVED Tai Chi.

I knew we had flowers coming from you guys - so when some showed up yesterday with no tag, I thought that's who they were from. Turns out, a woman from our church left them on our doorstep last night. Today, your flowers arrived and they are just beauuuuutiful!! Now, Emily has TWO big bouquets in her room along with a giant stuffed puppy dog and a blanket her grandma (Brad's mom) made for her. I wanted to post the info about the funeral here just in case anyone wanted to send flowers or donations. I am certainly not soliciting anything, but have had people ask me about it. So, I wanted to

I just got home from an evening with Brad's family going through old family photos and picking out ones for the service. I am so pleased and honored that his family has included me in all of this process. Some flowers showed up on our doorstep today. Hmmmmm...... I think I know where they came from. Thank you so much Robin and Jen. They are so lovely and are in on Emily's dresser in a vase that came with some flowers Brad gave her for Valentines a couple years ago.

Remember me. I will be with you in the grave on the night you leave behind your shop and your family. When you hear my soft voice echoing in your tomb, you will realize that you were never hidden from my eyes. I am the pure awareness within your heart, with you during joy and celebration, suffering and despair. On that strange and fateful night you will hear a familiar voice -- you'll be rescued from the fangs of snakes and the searing sting of scorpions. The euphoria of love will sweep over your grave; it will bring wine and friends, candles and food. When the light of realization dawns

We do not have to go to the morgue to do paperwork and his things will be sent with him to the crematorium. This is a relief. Robin, there will be an obit in the Post Dispatch in STL - and I just spoke to his mom and she is thrilled with the idea of STL Bike Works. I am a huge fan of that place and knew a lot of people involved back when I was a Critical Masser in STL. Heck, Brad is the one that got me into cycling and going to CM. I can't find my digital camera - but will try and get some photos when I do.

I would be happy to give you the information about the service when I have it. However, Brad's mom told me this morning that she would prefer donations in lieu of flowers. She is looking into organizations. She wants to do something that helps children. Graham suggested a place in St Louis that gives kids bicycles and teaches them to fix them. This would be so perfect. Brad LOVED to ride bikes and was a total grease monkey. Let me see if I can find my digital camera.

Thank you for your love. the outpouring of love and support from all corners of my existence has been overwhelming. The next few days are going to be very difficult. I spent an hour with the pastor of our church this morning, and he is going to lead the memorial service on Saturday - at the request of Brad's mom. Being with our pastor and being able to talk about all of this with him was very healing and helpful. Most of the time I just can't talk, which is why I have been avoiding the phone besides with immediate family. However, when the memories come up, I break down. And when I think

before I try to go to bed, I had to share this. I just went in to check on Emily and give her kisses. The dog (Kerry) followed me in there. When I tried to get him out of the room when I was leaving, he would not budge from the side of Emily's bed. I walked away and he was literally sitting next to her bed, watching her. I looked at him from the door and he turned and looked at me with a very concerned sad look in his eyes and he is now camped out at the side of her bed. bless.

Emily has his Gretsch bass guitar in her room - his mom gave it to her tonight, they took it from his apartment.