Au Revoir Mammie!

Je t'aime beaucoup!

Mammie,

I miss you sooo much. As soon as I heard they were going to move you to the hospice I told my guys at work that I had to leave. Not soon after Jackie gave me the call with the two words I didn't want to hear, "She passed". I didn't show a lot of emotion when Grandpa and Rick died. But with you, my Mammie I broke down in tears. That was the hardest news I've ever dealt with to this day. I never cried like that before. You were the first one to see me born. We had our special cuddle time when I was young...you and grandpa were terrific! I spent a lot of summers with you growing up and of course who could forget the time we went cross country. Remember how I told you Old faithful was my favorite part of the trip? I think it was yours too! Then growing up I got to take you to Scotland for your 80th birthday! What a treat that was!

I loved and enjoyed that trip so much! We were on a budget but still made it work! And of course the last night we stayed at the hilton...and who got our room upgraded complimentary?!? ^_^
..you and your french accent!

I think of all the good times we had while I was growing up and how lucky I was to have a grandmother that cared and accepted me the way I am.

When I came out to the family about being gay everyone's first reaction was "Are you sure". I loved that you didn't say that and that your first words were "Well you can always adopt". That was the best thing anyone could've said.

Your LOVE, spirit and youthful energy will be missed. I'll even miss arguing politics with you! Something that was always taboo with us, but that didn't stop me! =)

I'm glad you were with me when I closed on the house and toasted just a small bit of champagne with me. Tomorrow I will buy a bottle of Roederer (what do you think? ;-D) and toast you to your new life with the love of your life, Grandpa. I will see you again and hopefully you & Grandpa will have a good bottle waiting for me ;)

I love you and miss you terribly! Also I took your favorite picture that you had next you. I know you'd want me to have it because our hearts were always N'sync. I love you (me more!)

~ Avec Beaucoup D'amour,
Michel

2008...

you know...i've been pondering a lot about 2008. I'm not even done with the year (and I can't wait for it 2 b dun wit!) but I think about everything that has so far happened this year. The biggest thing this year is family.
Losing two family members within 10days of each other and then today hearing that my grandmother has broken heart syndrome. I'll get into that in a paragraph or two...That was the biggest thing this year.

Then falling in love, breaking my heart, chasing after a dream, to finally cutting the cord and moving forward (*marks one month anniversary*). I can view this as a set back, or as a lesson learned in time. Being the optomistic person I am, I'll smile look back on what it was and move forward. What I won't do is look back on what never was nor could've been. Fuck it! ;-)...

Moving from Kuwait back to DC. This was definitely a positive move. iLuv living in DC...have the best job in the world (and by that I mean, iGot the best boss and awesome co-workers...who could want more than that?)...granted job satisfaction isn't what it use to be, but oh well. As long as I like the people I work with and flexibility, I'm good!

I don't wanna forget that I am greatful for the new friends that I have in my life. Friendship is something that iLuv yet I seem to be guilty like a lot of people when I feel that it's 'out of sight, out of mind'. My real close friends (Chris & Tiff) live at belvoir, so seeing them is ALWAYS a pleasure! Frank and Brooksanne whom I've known since 12 live two blocks away from them. Real cool that I have those treasure 15miles away from me. Now to the DC District; Tuffie- I value the friendship we have and love that we can laugh/act silly bout the same stupid shit *MuAh*, Christian - You are sooo like the little brother I never had! We bullshit, talk, fight, give hugs...it's def a friendship I've not had with anyone but it's cool that we move forward past the drama n bullshit (you owe me lunch pendejo!). There are a lot of guys who've been impressionable (if that's such a word) to my life and I know over time I'll treasure those memories and allow you closer to my layers. I've made some good acquitances here since I've moved from Kuwait.

Moving back to grandma...She is officially moving to VA (Brooks, you got another republican). So the doctors have diagnosed her with Broken Heart syndrome. Basically, she's been living alone these past 4 years and recently lost her son and brother. This is very hard and she needs family. She is having trouble breathing and has difficulty walking. So now it is time to inventory the house, have her get out of the hospital, go to re-hab....two or three months later have a room setup in VA where she will be a part of the family.

She has to improve, otherwise....well she just has to improve. I think it will be great having her back in VA. As soon as she can move a tad quicker she will be able to help out around the house (so that she feels productive), make dinners and eventually go out to the library and Sr Center to play bridge and what not. So this will be happening sometime in 2009 and iHope I just hope it will be a better year that what 2008 has given us.

Ok, I'm sure i'll do anutha year wrap-up when that time comes...Oh shit! I forgot! Duh! I've been blogging for a year now! Damn...I've never done/kept up with a journal this long! iLuv it! w00t w00t! Be back in VA manana ~ c!a0