May 26, 2019, marked three years since Mike died. Some people would call it the anniversary, but that word has a positive connotation for me and there’s nothing positive about it. Leading up to it, I was anxious and had a pit in my stomach. On the day, I just felt sick and sad. I’m sure these feelings will continue for the rest of my life.
Last year, on May 26, we were in Long Island at Nick’s baseball tournament at a place called Baseball Heaven. It was a great distraction for us and we couldn’t have been in a place more aptly named. Mike loved baseball and was a talented player who was successful all the way through college. He passed along his love for baseball to Nick and Matt.
While I was upset we weren’t going to Baseball Heaven, I was happy because both boys had baseball tournaments this year. And both kids played in their tournament championship games on the 26th. Nick’s team lost in extra innings. But Matt’s team won! See the pics below.
Mike would be so proud of them! As Mike’s mother said to me at Matt’s championship game, thank goodness for baseball today, it’s a gift. I couldn’t agree more. Watching both boys doing what Mike loved, and loving it too, makes me happy!
While I don’t have any profound words on how to cope with the day a loved one died, I encourage you to be gentle with yourself, do something your loved one liked to do, and try to find one positive (no matter how small) and embrace it.
Thanks for supporting The MRP Project. Together, we’re making a difference by providing hope through social support.
