Friday, April 8, 2011
It's been a while...
since I've posted! Remembering Kurt today on his birthday. I don't think you age in heaven. I hoping we get to pick our age! (He's probably 21 or 22!--motorcycles, fast cars, slender, single, and "a bitchin', lake guy that chicks really dig.") Just a quote from him, not me!
Monday, November 15, 2010
Is it really November?
Wow, time is flying by...it feels like I just dropped David off at NYU, and soon he'll be home in tow with his roommate for Thanksgiving. David's roommate, Kyle, is from South Africa and his parents just moved to Australia. Going home this break isn't an option! I'm so glad he can join us. Sounds like David is really enjoying NYC with my credit card and his program is very stressful. He has very talented, Tony and Grammy award-winning instructors.
This fall has been a good one--so much better than the past two years. Geez. In September, Mike and Eileen Y. hosted a wonderful party with all of Kurt's coworkers and their families. It truly was a wonderful evening spending time with everyone and sharing stories about Kurt. In October Madeline and I started looking at universities. We looked at Boston U., Boston C., the area of Northeastern and Harvard. David took the Chinatown bus from NY to Boston and spent 24 hrs. with us. It was a great! Driving in Boston was comical--thank god Madeline has a sense of direction and her Iphone or I'd still be there going in circles. The last leg of our trip was U of Penn. which happens to be her favorite due to the fact they have the psych program that she is interested in, the location of the school is in a city and the campus is contained and quite beautiful. I have a feeling I that both my kids will be on the east coast! The next trip will be Washington DC. She's only a junior, so she has time to sort things out.
As for me, I'm enjoying life, and I'm surround by wonderful family, friends and neighbors. Life is good. I'm very thankful for all your love and support.
Happy Thanksgiving!
This fall has been a good one--so much better than the past two years. Geez. In September, Mike and Eileen Y. hosted a wonderful party with all of Kurt's coworkers and their families. It truly was a wonderful evening spending time with everyone and sharing stories about Kurt. In October Madeline and I started looking at universities. We looked at Boston U., Boston C., the area of Northeastern and Harvard. David took the Chinatown bus from NY to Boston and spent 24 hrs. with us. It was a great! Driving in Boston was comical--thank god Madeline has a sense of direction and her Iphone or I'd still be there going in circles. The last leg of our trip was U of Penn. which happens to be her favorite due to the fact they have the psych program that she is interested in, the location of the school is in a city and the campus is contained and quite beautiful. I have a feeling I that both my kids will be on the east coast! The next trip will be Washington DC. She's only a junior, so she has time to sort things out.
As for me, I'm enjoying life, and I'm surround by wonderful family, friends and neighbors. Life is good. I'm very thankful for all your love and support.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Summer 2010
It's August 3rd--we leave in three weeks to drop David off at NYU. And, no, I am NOT driving. Unlike Kurt, driving 30 hrs. is not my thing. Saving time (time is money) and cheap Southwest Airline tics (AND TWO FREE BAGS EACH) are pulling us through this one. We are bringing the essentials then I'm shipping the rest which isn't much. I'm very excited for him! While we are in NY, we will be visiting Columbia U. for Maddy. She's entering her junior year so it's time to check out schools.
This was the first year in 9 years that the kids didn't go to camp, so the Bodell camp headed to France! We were in Paris, Aix en Provence and Nice. It was all so wonderful. David and Maddy spoke French the whole time and Madeline navigated us with the maps on the metro. This will probably be the last family trip for awhile since NYUs schedule doesn't jive with LTHS.
All and all, we are doing fine, enjoying life and our friends. Kurt truly is watching over us.
TTFN, enjoy the rest of the summer! Love to all, xoxo jani
This was the first year in 9 years that the kids didn't go to camp, so the Bodell camp headed to France! We were in Paris, Aix en Provence and Nice. It was all so wonderful. David and Maddy spoke French the whole time and Madeline navigated us with the maps on the metro. This will probably be the last family trip for awhile since NYUs schedule doesn't jive with LTHS.
All and all, we are doing fine, enjoying life and our friends. Kurt truly is watching over us.
TTFN, enjoy the rest of the summer! Love to all, xoxo jani
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Blackhawks Win the Stanley Cup!!!!!
That title is for Kurt, from Kurt. I believe in my head and heart that he has been with them all the way. If you recall, last year Coach Quennville visited him and called him when he was in the hospital.
I remember walking in the room when Kurt was on the phone with him. Kurt had been so ill, he wasn't really talking, just sleeping. He could barely lift his head off the pillow. I look at Kurt he is sitting up in bed, saying "Yes, sir. Thank you, sir." He mustered any bit of energy he had to talk to the Coach. When the Coach asked him if there was anything he could do for him, Kurt's response was, "Win the Stanley Cup!" Kurt hung up the phone and said, "That made my day! I'm exhausted!"
A year ago today, Kurt left us. Unfortunately the rest of the scene is all too clear in my mind. The past two days have been really sad. I wish he was yelling at the TV from the basement, scaring the crap out of Lucy. But he's not. Instead of going to the cemetery today, I wish we had a family nite at Aurelios. I hope he was walking with David up the aisle at graduation and watching Maddy play badminton. I pray he watches over us when times are scary and blocks any water that may be heading for the basement. I miss his kisses on my head at 5:50am. before he drove to work.
I know this sadness is part of the process of death and life. I just wish he could talk from heaven--like a heaven iphone. I would've like to hear him say, "Yeah, baby" with his bent stance and with him moving his underhanded punch back and forth when the Hawks made that winning goal. Sometimes I look up to the sky and say, "You owe me, Mister!" Then in my mind I see him laughing. And occasionally I yell out, "Where the hell are you???" then I look at the photo of him, Maddy and Mia--twinkle in his eye and that grin. However, so, so many times this year, I have said, "Thank God he isn't dealing with that disease anymore." And that statement, my friends is what gets me through a day like today. I can cry for hours, but seeing photos that Kurt took on the laptop of himself when he was ill, is even sadder. It wasn't the Kurt we knew and loved. He knew it, he was tired of it. The drugs and chemo took away his fun-loving personality. I probably have said all this before--still convincing myself. So when you miss him, look at these beautiful photos. I do. This was our friend. He loved all of you. Keep him in your hearts.
I remember walking in the room when Kurt was on the phone with him. Kurt had been so ill, he wasn't really talking, just sleeping. He could barely lift his head off the pillow. I look at Kurt he is sitting up in bed, saying "Yes, sir. Thank you, sir." He mustered any bit of energy he had to talk to the Coach. When the Coach asked him if there was anything he could do for him, Kurt's response was, "Win the Stanley Cup!" Kurt hung up the phone and said, "That made my day! I'm exhausted!"
A year ago today, Kurt left us. Unfortunately the rest of the scene is all too clear in my mind. The past two days have been really sad. I wish he was yelling at the TV from the basement, scaring the crap out of Lucy. But he's not. Instead of going to the cemetery today, I wish we had a family nite at Aurelios. I hope he was walking with David up the aisle at graduation and watching Maddy play badminton. I pray he watches over us when times are scary and blocks any water that may be heading for the basement. I miss his kisses on my head at 5:50am. before he drove to work.
I know this sadness is part of the process of death and life. I just wish he could talk from heaven--like a heaven iphone. I would've like to hear him say, "Yeah, baby" with his bent stance and with him moving his underhanded punch back and forth when the Hawks made that winning goal. Sometimes I look up to the sky and say, "You owe me, Mister!" Then in my mind I see him laughing. And occasionally I yell out, "Where the hell are you???" then I look at the photo of him, Maddy and Mia--twinkle in his eye and that grin. However, so, so many times this year, I have said, "Thank God he isn't dealing with that disease anymore." And that statement, my friends is what gets me through a day like today. I can cry for hours, but seeing photos that Kurt took on the laptop of himself when he was ill, is even sadder. It wasn't the Kurt we knew and loved. He knew it, he was tired of it. The drugs and chemo took away his fun-loving personality. I probably have said all this before--still convincing myself. So when you miss him, look at these beautiful photos. I do. This was our friend. He loved all of you. Keep him in your hearts.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Kurt
Tommorrow is Kurt's birthday. I can't believe it. Last year at this time he was summoned back to the hospital for a grueling few weeks. The nurses and family did their best to keep him positive and have a great weekend. Thank God all of his family came to town.
A couple weeks ago I had to pull disability papers with info on Kurt's hospital stays and medications. I miss him terribly, his immaturity, even the disgusting, irritating burps at the table or the constant whip lash in the car (just for the record--not the snoring, I actually am sleeping sound!). However, what Kurt had to go through to try to stay on this earth woud blow your minds. He was so very ill and took so much medication. What if he survived that last treatment? The thought of him going through ALL that again, gives me strength each day, just knowing he won't ever suffer again.
Even as sick as he was, he was silly. I laugh when I think of a day last May when he said, "God take me." He pulled the covers up to his chin like a little kid. He looked over at me, peeking over the sheets and said, "I'm still here, what's the deal, he's not taking me." Later that day he called me and said, "I'm still here." I said, "Can't you figure it out, he doesn't want you yet. It's not your turn. You have to stick around a little longer."
When you miss him, think of those funny Kurt stories. Please share. We could all use a few laughs! Happy Birthday Kurt. Hope you get your Lambourgini in heaven! I saw one yesterday in the lot on Ogden Ave. and thought of you, again. xoxoxo Go Hawks!
A couple weeks ago I had to pull disability papers with info on Kurt's hospital stays and medications. I miss him terribly, his immaturity, even the disgusting, irritating burps at the table or the constant whip lash in the car (just for the record--not the snoring, I actually am sleeping sound!). However, what Kurt had to go through to try to stay on this earth woud blow your minds. He was so very ill and took so much medication. What if he survived that last treatment? The thought of him going through ALL that again, gives me strength each day, just knowing he won't ever suffer again.
Even as sick as he was, he was silly. I laugh when I think of a day last May when he said, "God take me." He pulled the covers up to his chin like a little kid. He looked over at me, peeking over the sheets and said, "I'm still here, what's the deal, he's not taking me." Later that day he called me and said, "I'm still here." I said, "Can't you figure it out, he doesn't want you yet. It's not your turn. You have to stick around a little longer."
When you miss him, think of those funny Kurt stories. Please share. We could all use a few laughs! Happy Birthday Kurt. Hope you get your Lambourgini in heaven! I saw one yesterday in the lot on Ogden Ave. and thought of you, again. xoxoxo Go Hawks!
Monday, February 15, 2010
The New Year
Just wanted to say THANK YOU once again to everyone for the love, prayers and help last year. We are so fortunate to have so many wonderful people in our lives supporting us.
2010 so far is on the right track. The kids made it through finals with flying colors. I am soooooo very, very proud of them. Madeline is getting ready for this spring's badminton and working on her tennis for next fall. If all goes well (and I'm not being sarcastic), she will get her license at the end of April. David is currently in tech week at LTHS for "Ragtime." Possibly, this is his last musical before he heads off to NYU. (I doubt it!). He is also working on applications for scholarships--right David?
Fortunately, thanks to Dixon Law Offices, I have been hired to cover their walls with paintings--love it. And, as I was walking out of their offices after our appointment, one of their lawyers stopped me, long story--a few days later, she purchased seven paintings from me. Thank you, Amy! I'm still working at SPM Marketing & Communications as an administrative assistant. I job share which is ideal--work a week/off a week. The ad biz is crazy, but I enjoy it. I tend to attract craziness. Look who I was married to for 21 years!
Take care!
2010 so far is on the right track. The kids made it through finals with flying colors. I am soooooo very, very proud of them. Madeline is getting ready for this spring's badminton and working on her tennis for next fall. If all goes well (and I'm not being sarcastic), she will get her license at the end of April. David is currently in tech week at LTHS for "Ragtime." Possibly, this is his last musical before he heads off to NYU. (I doubt it!). He is also working on applications for scholarships--right David?
Fortunately, thanks to Dixon Law Offices, I have been hired to cover their walls with paintings--love it. And, as I was walking out of their offices after our appointment, one of their lawyers stopped me, long story--a few days later, she purchased seven paintings from me. Thank you, Amy! I'm still working at SPM Marketing & Communications as an administrative assistant. I job share which is ideal--work a week/off a week. The ad biz is crazy, but I enjoy it. I tend to attract craziness. Look who I was married to for 21 years!
Take care!
Friday, December 18, 2009
Update at the Bodell Ranch
Happy Holidays everyone. We are in full swing. Madeline and I put up the outside lights, which have been a little tricky--it's hard to be festive and hungry at the same time! The microwave blows the circuit. So, I am getting a lot of exercise running in and outside or up and down the stairs to flip the circuit breaker. It's my new training program instead of the Pilates jump boards which I am avoiding, so not to jar my brain.
The bathroom had a leaky toilet so it ruined our tile and foyer ceiling. Good reason for me to remodel the bathroom. Trust me I wasn't muttering those words a couple weeks ago.
I am proud to say I attended a breakfast with Madeline. Her Chemistry teacher nominated her for Student of the Month. She works so hard. It is nice that she has been recognized for it.
And finally, today after a week of sprinting to the front door to look at the mail, David was accepted to the University of New York's Tisch School of Drama. He applied for early decision and auditioned/interviewed in New York on November 11th. He/we are so thrilled and relieved. It is a wonderful Christmas gift and a terrific way to start the New Year! I am so proud.
And to all our family and friends, have a happy holiday season. We are missing Kurt, but know he is here in spirit. Remember he was about fun and celebration and had that shit eating grin on his face. Keep on smiling.
xoxo jani
The bathroom had a leaky toilet so it ruined our tile and foyer ceiling. Good reason for me to remodel the bathroom. Trust me I wasn't muttering those words a couple weeks ago.
I am proud to say I attended a breakfast with Madeline. Her Chemistry teacher nominated her for Student of the Month. She works so hard. It is nice that she has been recognized for it.
And finally, today after a week of sprinting to the front door to look at the mail, David was accepted to the University of New York's Tisch School of Drama. He applied for early decision and auditioned/interviewed in New York on November 11th. He/we are so thrilled and relieved. It is a wonderful Christmas gift and a terrific way to start the New Year! I am so proud.
And to all our family and friends, have a happy holiday season. We are missing Kurt, but know he is here in spirit. Remember he was about fun and celebration and had that shit eating grin on his face. Keep on smiling.
xoxo jani
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