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Sunday, July 6, 2008

4th of July Memories

The weekend passed with mild pain. The greatest sting came when we walked into the theater (on our way to see Hancock--check it out) and ran into the cutout for the new Ice Age movie. I stared at the mammoth with Ray Romano's eyes, and the saber-toothed tiger, and remembered how much Jolene enjoyed the first movie. I don't know how long it will be before I can watch a movie Jolene & I would have enjoyed together. Not now.

But that was a passing thought, an example of several that sped through my mind through the weekend.

Jolene didn't handle crowds well; over the years, especially when we didn't have a car, we learned to stay away from people-crush-inducing events like fireworks displays and the Cherry Creek Arts Festival.

So we often went to see a movie for the 4th, and toasted marshmallows over a burners to make s'mores. I remember going to an all-day concert one year; another time, we spent the day at Lakeside Amusement Park. For several years, we lived in a 3rd floor condo where we could see fireworks from across Denver. Without the crowds and the ear-splitting rockets, which made Jolene cry as a baby and which she never could endure.

It's been a weekend of sunshine and Rockies' wins, relaxation and rest.

And fond memories of the girl who isn't here to enjoy it with us. She's celebrating true freedom in heaven.

1 comment:

Mary Connealy said...

I'm sure there's pain but in some ways those memories have to be part of holding on to Jolene, don't you think? Pain yes, but also sweetness.