Can't Help but Thnk

I'm heading off to the quarterly Jaycee convention tonight. It's the weekend where year-end awards are handed out, especially the number one chapter in the State (the coveted Giessenbier). I can't help but think about last year around this time. I was the 2006 Individual Development VP for my chapter and I helped write our annual report and individual project write-ups, which helped the chapter win the Giessenbier, several other state-level awards, and a national Jaycee award. In addition, I received the Jaycee International Senate award, which is the highest award anyone can receive in the Jaycees - it's international! It was a great weekend, with lots to celebrate and be proud of. What I reflect on now is that evil Priscilla was growing inside me back then and didn't know how drastically my life would change two months later.

This is the wierd way I think sometimes. My brother celebrated his 1 year anniversary recently and I'm so glad I didn't know about the cancer before his wedding because I was able to celebrate with family and friends and not worry about anything, but at the same time it freaks me out a little to know how "normal" things were before my world was blown apart. I feel like I'm riding to the top of an emotional roller coaster as I approach my own "anniversary" in April and I don't know how I'll feel when I get there. I know I'm celebrating by doing a 5K walk at the annual Cherry Blossom event. I'll be glad to be doing something to celebrate that I AM alive and Priscilla didn't take me out. I have to admit, it's going to be interesting. My friend, Gila, was injured in a bombing in Israel almost 6 years ago a week after my anniversary. She has a party each year to celebrate her life, so I'm taking a cue from her by doing this 5k. (I'm adding a link on the right to her blog if you're interested in reading her story - it's amazing.)

I just want to say in advance that this weekend promises to be a weekend of celebrations for my chapter again. I know of some very special awards that some very deserving people will be receiving. Don't bother to ask me because, I'm not telling. You'll have to figure it out!