Our first week back to the "normal" routine has been anything but... yesterday, the frigid temps, -45 degree windchill, closed schools for the day. This is the second year in a row that a school cancellation has fallen around the anniversary of Shannon's passing. Maybe she's up there, sending a little shout out to her little sister and all her peeps down here...
We survived January 6th as we will have to do every year. I can't explain why this one was harder than the last. Maybe we spent too much emotional capital with all the goings on in December and we were just tapped out.
We made it through with the help and love and support of our friends and family. It is a gift from Shannon that we have this support network. The way she lived and the way she died helped people rally around us, and they continue to do so. While I don't wish tragedy on anyone, I do wish everyone could feel loved and supported the way we do.
Erin said there were a lot of Shannon shirts walking around Mayo High School that day. She was one of them, wearing her SOF sweatshirt to school that day. My heart aches for Erin and her loss, but it also feels much gratitude for the way she carries herself.
After some downtime in December, Erin's schedule is ramping up again. She's got club volleyball practices, weightlifting for volleyball, and an off season golf program, too. Throw in piano and confirmation and she should stay plenty busy over these next few months.
Now we head into our busiest fundraising month of the year. Our first Shannon Cup tournament is just 8 days away. Our sweatshirt supply had to be replenished, and a new tournament t-shirt is on the way next week. We will be at Graham Arena Friday night and Saturday (1/16 & 1/17) as we watch the U14 teams play. The last of Shannon's teammates still playing at the youth level will be in action. The U14B have kept the name Cannons, and they are still hanging up Shannon's #9 jersey as part of their game day routine.
And so it begins...
It's hard for me to not be hauling and lifting boxes, but I am continuing to try and recover from my surgery. I am trying really hard to be a good patient and follow the doctor's orders - no lifting, pushing, pulling or exercise for six weeks is making me feel like a slug. Dan has been doing his own job and mine when he's home. And, when he's gone, Erin is picking up the slack. Tuesday night in the bitter windchill, she hauled the trash out to the curb for me. Now that's love...
Speaking of recovering, Papa Harkins is back in Nevada. He had some minimal gain in his eyesight from the treatment in Minnesota, but the truth is that he is learning to function with basically one eye. To find the underlying cause of the blood clot, they placed an implantable heart monitor and he will return in six months for follow up on his atrial fibrillation. Tomorrow is his 72nd birthday.
So, the world spins madly on. Life happens. The good and the bad. Persevere when necessary and celebrate the victories along the way...
