Coyne Operated

The nice thing about dating a runner is that we get to go to different towns where races are held.  The even nicer thing is that I get to be a spectator.

Last month, Mark ran a 10K on Shelter Island, a part of Long Island I'd never seen.  It's the cutest little community, just a two-minute ferry ride from "the mainland."

We got there a couple hours before the race, just to look around and relax.  We also got to see world-class runner Meb Keflezighi, who was there to sign copies of his book and also to run the race.  Meb is an icon in the running community, and was also the winner of this year's Boston Marathon.  I also found out that he's a committed Christian.  Go Meb!

Mark also did pretty well, considering how much his ankle was bothering him.  Go Mark!

 

This Father's Day I decided to get my dad a unique gift -- a redbud tree for the backyard.  The tree arrived a few days before I visited, and we planted it together on Father's Day.  I included an engraved tag to be put in the ground with the tree.

 

Aunt Jan and Uncle Dennis were also visiting from Michigan, so it was a special weekend all around.

 

I can't believe it's true, but our niece, Brooke, graduated from high school last month.  I don't know how that's possible -- wasn't she just the little girl Mike and I took to Story Land?

I am so proud of her, and I know she'll have an amazing four years at Lasell College!

While up in Scituate, I also got to have dinner with our friend, Tim.  And, I finally got to give Brooke the special ring I had made for her -- the one created using the rose petals from Mike's funeral, similar to the ring I have.

 

Congrats, Brookie!

 

On June 1 I attended my second "In Memory Of" walk organized by those who run the Young Widows and Widowers group I joined when I moved back to New York.  This year was the largest walk yet (sadly), but it was encouraging to see those who've lost their loves banding together in remembrance and support.

This year, not only did I win an awesome basket full of restaurant gift cards, a bottle of wine and a Vera Bradley wallet, but I also got to bring Mark and introduce him to my friends from the group (the group we nicknamed "Lucky 13").  I got to show them that, in due time, life can become sweet again.