My Friend Shannon

OK really?? 2011 is the year my computer seeks her revenge on me. Screw that, I'm buying a new one you dumb bitch. I want to write as many birthday blogs as I can. My friend Shannon, though we don’t connect as much as I wish (because I am LAME) is the bestest.

I just wrote about half of a nice blog post about my friend Shannon Walk when the computer dumped it. If this one sucks, the one that got dumped was brilliant!! Shannon and I met in 7th or 8th grade. Honestly I can’t recall. It was at the hell that was junior high for me. Some kids did well in junior high, I spent those years wanting to die. I was a golden child in 6th grade and got knocked on my ass in junior high for a number of reasons. One thing I know, we met in Mr. Walker’s class. Mr. Walker was the Grandpa of a great friend of mine, Natalie Walker. I still know her. Mr. Walker wasn’t a tough teacher. He was the soft landing place all of us in junior high needed in order to learn a little about ourselves. We wrote an autobiography in his class. I have no idea what mine said. I know many of us found some identity in this process. For the record, Mrs. Walker (not sure of the exact relation) was my Campfire Girl leader, another rock in my life.
OK, so my friend Shannon. She had a perfect family. Mom, Dad, Brother, all intact. By the time I met her mine was in shambles. OK, they weren’t perfect, but they sure seemed like it. I know they had the same struggles all families did. Let’s just say they were a wonderful example for me. Sadly Shannon’s Mom was diagnosed with cancer. She fought the tough fight. She drove us to school in carpool when she was going through chemo. I was so oblivious. I knew what was going on, but I really had no idea. I wish I was there more for all of them. When she passed, I felt awful. I went to the service, I cried so hard. I hurt so bad, but I felt so numb because I didn’t know how to help.
We went back to school. I can’t recall talking about it. Maybe we did, I can’t recall. We seemed to have such deep discussions about everything, yet I can’t recall any conclusions we came to.

My family went through their tough times. I can’t recall the discussions. We had so many years together that I think were worth blocking out after that.  My family went on to new connections.  I thank God for my Dad and Step Mom  Shannon went on to some wonderful connections

I’m going to skip to today because I am sure we can agree those years we skipped are tough ones. I have some awesome kids. Shannon has some awesome kids. We are healthy and happy….and on the 5th Shannon turns 41, while her much younger friend stays 40!

Love you Shannon!