Candle In The Wind

Last night I was surfing the net, looking for a few 5k's to run this Spring, and I just happened upon the Jackie Bristow Memorial 5k Race.

The name sounded very familiar.

I clicked on the link and found out that the race had already happened on January 3, 2009, but then I began to read on about Jackie's story and her struggle with anorexia and bulimia. My heart sank. She was the twin daughter of one of my closest childhood friends.

I spent first grade through eighth grade with my friend Joan. We attended different high schools, but we still kept in touch though yearly Christmas cards and though each of our children's births. Even though we've moved to different cities, we still kept in touch. I'll never forget when she gave birth to her full term twin daughters. She was only expecting one child at that time, and hoping for a girl, since she already had two sons. Emily was born and Joan was thrilled, then a surprise happened when Jackie followed, and the labor and delivery team went crazy because they were only expecting to handle a single birth. (Back then, the doctors didn't do sonograms unless it was absolutely necessary.) Her family was overjoyed. Twin daughters!

Joan and I kept in touch through a few phone calls, letters, and Christmas cards. Over the past recent years it just has been Christmas cards with a short note and her children's school pictures. This holiday season there was no Christmas card from Joan, but I just chalked that up to the state of the economy, and everyone seemed to be cutting back on sending cards.

I did not know that Joan's daughter, Jackie, lost her life on January 1, 2008 at age 19 until I stumbled upon the 5k race information last night. My heart is breaking for my friend and her family.




Yesterday's song:
Road To Recovery - Midnight Juggernauts

PEACE

Apples and Pairs

Yes, it's a song title, and it is spelled correctly. :)

I had my share of Art History classes in college. It's time for a trip down memory lane.



Artist
Paul Cézanne (French, 1839–1906)

Title
Still Life with Apples and Pears

Date
ca. 1891–92

Medium
Oil on canvas

Art work and photo from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.



Yesterday's song:
Crumbs From Your Table - U2 - Barbie2be

PEACE