Life, in so many ways, is really fun and stressful right now.
This past week, as I’m prepping for my mom’s celebration and getting my house ready for renovation, it got even more hectic when a new drainage rule threw a curveball at me.
My office/house is completely “zero-scaped” and now there’s a new rule (thanks Hurricane Harvey) which says 35% of my lot has to be pervious.
If I don’t, they won’t give me the final stamp to occupy when the renovation is complete.
My low maintenance yard is about to become the opposite. I know some nice Bermuda and mulch would look great, but I don’t want irrigation and landscaping work to this level.
That curveball alone took an entire day to figure out. It will be some extra planning, but I will make it fun.
First world problems… Very fortunate to have these problems.
Next, it came to my travels home, to Wisconsin.
Friday was closure for me. It was my mom’s celebration of life.
First off, in honor of my mother, I decided to look sharp and carry a great attitude.
Now…The turnout blew my mind.
Everyone showed up, all in a perfect window of time, and had a blast.
My sister and aunt picked a great venue, the weather was 80 and sunny, and the stories were abundant.
I was able to have meaningful conversations with just about everyone there.
From the doctor that was there when I was born (and the one that spotted my heart issue), to my neighbor growing up who is like 90 years old, to my best friend from High School, and so many more.
People flew in from Florida, Chicago, Indiana, Texas, and more.
Everyone showed up with so much love for my mom and our family.
The tree of life, as I call it, was filled with names of those she shared her most precious time with.
I had pretty much let all the emotion out over the past two weeks, but there was one moment I’ll always remember at the event.
I was saying hello to a couple friends, and I saw my mom’s best friend, Mary Slicer, over my shoulder.
I broke down as we embraced.
We hugged for probably an entire minute. I could feel her love and sadness, and I did my best to be present as love.
I was, in that moment, the entirety of my mother’s love. It’s like she took over my body for that moment to be there with Mary.
Thank you, Mary, for that moment. I will never forget the love you had for my mother.
I’m still feeling many emotions, but I’m glad to close this chapter and celebrate my mother’s life in a way that would make her incredibly proud.
The following day was my birthday. I spent the day with my dear friend Matt, Elizabeth, and my close family. This was the first time I’ve been with my family for a bday in maybe 15 years. Hell, it might have been 20 I don’t know.
Ron, my brother in law, joined us for golf that morning, and he was a GREAT addition. We missed our goal by a few shots, but having Ron and my father on the golf course for my bday was memorable to say the least.
The rest of that day was a grill-out with my friends and family at a farmhouse outside of town. Beers, brats, burgers, and best friends.
One hell of an emotional weekend. I felt really loved.
Thank you, Matt and Elizabeth, for your love this weekend. I couldn’t have imagined better support. Elizabeth, your gifts, balloons, and custom cookies made me smile.
The thought you put into those cookies! I loved them!
I’m really excited and scared about life right now. I have to be honest… It’s fucking exciting and also just terrifying.
Different company obstacles are pushing me to be better. Pushing me to surround myself with strong, innovative people.
I’m taking a big shot this week with a heavyweight sales guy. Shit’s electric. One big ass calculated gamble.
As always, let’s see if I’m right.
Thanks again to everyone who was a part of last week. It takes a village, and we’ve got one hell of a village.
I love you, Mom. I hope you and your spirit had fun this past weekend.
– SJ