Little Pieces of You Everywhere

Today was so very busy that I think I must go to sleep soon. I got up early this morning and did the March of Dimes WalkAmerica--it was great to do and I felt oh so good about myself for doing something so productive. But after four miles, I was quite tired. I ran home, stopping at Sonic first for a cherry vanilla coke, and got home and jumped in to the shower. The NFL draft started at eleven, so I had it on, all the while just to see where things were heading.... (and your boy DeAngelo went in the first round to Carolina! So proud of our guy!)

So, I jump out in plenty of time to be very late for my plans to be at Daddy's by one. I had to go to Home Depot and buy a gift and a gift card for Neall & Becca for housewarming gift. There is no way that anyone moving into a house has any idea of the amount of money they will spend at Home Depot in the months to come. Or years. We have been in our house for four years now and I swear I am at Home Depot at least weekly. Then I rushed downtown to get tickets to the Grizzlies game today at 430pm. They sell the cheap seats for $5 on game day and of course, they had just sold out of the cheap setas before I got there but I got tickets anyway, since well, I feel it is important to support our little team. I mean, it is going to be on national TV and Memphis has enough bad going for it, at least we can look like we are supporting our team.

Then I went to Wynne. Daddy and I went to lunch and walked in to this entire table of red hat ladies. It was quite humorous to be honest. Then your dear friend Carol and her husband came in. I had to go over and tell her, "you know SHE would have had great fun with this, right???" I can only imagine what you would have done. It was so good to see her. It makes me feel like a little of you is near me when I see or talk to your friends. Every one reminds me so much of you--something in them always has a little of you in them, whether it is a smile or a gesture or a knowing look. Daddy and I then went to Lou Beene's 80th birthday party. She was so glad to see us! I knew that you would have been there and I just love Lou! She's hysterical. You always talked about her and I never met her until you got sick, but I can see the two of you causing a ruckus on Crabb Lane before then. As precious as all the things are, it is so hard to see people that realize who Daddy and I are and look at us with such great pity. I am so glad that they are thinking of us, but I can see it in their faces, "oh you know, that's Teri's husband and daughter". It is so kind to know that they are sad about you leaving us and I want so badly to not tear up when they tell me how sorry they are about my mom. But it has shown me how many people care and that is priceless. We were lucky that Pat was there at the same time we were and we had a buddy. She is so precious. She really has been there just like you would have wanted her to. Whether it is me having a rough day that no one can understand or Daddy trying to figure out what flowers you want him to plant, we both call her. She knew you and knew you better than anyone and I know that today she wanted to have you there with the three of us talking about what a great party it was and how good it was that Lou had so many friends and family with her.

Looking at the clock, I realize that it is 3 and I have to go! I have the Griz to cheer on, and yeah, they lost. As Tara and I sat there cheering for our losing team, I told her I had to stop myself from saying "Come on HOGS!" But then, as I was the only one in our nosebleeding seats up and cheering, I literally was stopped in my tracks. As the music was playing, I was dancing and looked at Tara, John and Jorge and told them how boring they were and I realized, "OH MY GOD!" that was the most Teri thing I could have ever done. I can see you screaming for the Piggies in Fayetteville and I said a little prayer right then and there that I would have more "Moments of Momma Reality" in my life. I can't think of a better highlight to my day than to realize that not only did I think of you but that I saw you in me.

I am finally home, watching my eighth day straight of hockey. I am so sick of hockey. John loves it and we are watching the playoffs every day but I really can't say anything because of all the football I have made him watch but it is getting tough. I know that you would understand and talk me through this. Yessh! Tomorrow I plan on getting right back in to bed after church and doing nothing. I can hardly wait, love you more than anything and I wish you were here, More,