June brings many events, and with it many emotions. June 1 marked one year since my dad's death, which you can read about and watch a white water rafting-themed slideshow honoring his life in my February 15 post, Anniversary, Valentine's, Birthday.
When I woke up this year on Sunday, June 1, I reflected upon the emotions I was feeling one year ago. First, I cried as I listened to Waylon Jennings' Only Daddy That'll Walk the Line, Whiskey River, Good-Hearted Woman and I've Always Been Crazy, some of my dad's most beloved songs. Second, I washed those tears away in a hot shower and adorned myself in a silk blue dress and colorfully beaded cross necklace that I bought in the Dominican Republic several years ago. Third, I dressed my baby boy in his white baseball tee and white American Apparel karate pants, bought specially for this day, June 1, the day Eric and I chose for Avie's Catholic baptism.
When I woke up this year on Sunday, June 1, I reflected upon the emotions I was feeling one year ago. First, I cried as I listened to Waylon Jennings' Only Daddy That'll Walk the Line, Whiskey River, Good-Hearted Woman and I've Always Been Crazy, some of my dad's most beloved songs. Second, I washed those tears away in a hot shower and adorned myself in a silk blue dress and colorfully beaded cross necklace that I bought in the Dominican Republic several years ago. Third, I dressed my baby boy in his white baseball tee and white American Apparel karate pants, bought specially for this day, June 1, the day Eric and I chose for Avie's Catholic baptism.
Nothing lifts my spirits more than gatherings and celebrations with friends and family. So, what better way to commemorate my father's death than to baptize his grandson and spend the day with loved ones? Eric's parents drove all the way from Wisconsin to join in the celebration. My mom, Marci, twin sister, Tara, good friend, Brian, and Eric's mom and dad, Marge and Fenton, met me, Eric, and Avie at St. Joan of Arc Parish for the occasion. Tara became godmother, Brian became godfather, and Avie became baptized by Father Jim under the Roman Catholic faith.
My dad was not Catholic, but I'm sure he was watching from above, thinking, "well, that's pretty cool." Or perhaps he was muttering, "those damn Catholics," as he often liked to say in his lovingly honest, funny manner. Either way, it was a day well spent! We had a long, slow, healthy, outdoor lunch, my favorite kind, at Nemacolin Woodland's Sunset Terrace. After a nap and downtime, we wrapped up the day's events with the spreading of some of my dad's ashes and a good ole white water kayaking session with some good people, including Avie's new godfather Brian and our friends Andrea, Erin, and Steve. Inadvertently, this became the Second Annual A.J. Cunningham Memorial Paddle.
Last year, my dad passed after midnight. When the sun rose, and the news settled, Tara, Eric, and my lifelong best friend and cousin, Laura, who was very close to my dad, felt that the only right thing to do was to go downriver together. So we did. Brian joined us. We were sad, but the river gathered us up and carried us through on a beautiful first day of June. Such was the case this year as the renewing baptismal waters washed over Avie and the revitalizing river waters splashed over me. Next year, a third annual paddling event will occur. It may be as spontaneous as this year's, and it will certainly be as special, because we will be paddling in honor of my dad's death plus my baby's baptism. Doubly special, indeed.
This post is titled June Goodness, but I have so far only spoken of one, single good day in June! You'll have to stay tuned to hear about the rest of the good June days, which have involved Father's Day, my sister's bridal shower, more rolfing (read about it in the May 16 post, Rolfing Away Plantar Fasciitis & Heel Spurs), as well as pulsed electromagnetic field therapy, Bowen therapy, and ChiRunning, which I'll tell you about in the near future. Blessings to all!
Last year, my dad passed after midnight. When the sun rose, and the news settled, Tara, Eric, and my lifelong best friend and cousin, Laura, who was very close to my dad, felt that the only right thing to do was to go downriver together. So we did. Brian joined us. We were sad, but the river gathered us up and carried us through on a beautiful first day of June. Such was the case this year as the renewing baptismal waters washed over Avie and the revitalizing river waters splashed over me. Next year, a third annual paddling event will occur. It may be as spontaneous as this year's, and it will certainly be as special, because we will be paddling in honor of my dad's death plus my baby's baptism. Doubly special, indeed.
This post is titled June Goodness, but I have so far only spoken of one, single good day in June! You'll have to stay tuned to hear about the rest of the good June days, which have involved Father's Day, my sister's bridal shower, more rolfing (read about it in the May 16 post, Rolfing Away Plantar Fasciitis & Heel Spurs), as well as pulsed electromagnetic field therapy, Bowen therapy, and ChiRunning, which I'll tell you about in the near future. Blessings to all!
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