|
Welcome, Baby Seth!
Journal
Saturday, January 31, 2009 This winter brought lots of snow and ice to Ohio, and lots of thoughts of Matt. I am reminded of Matt more than once on a daily basis, and usually not for any particular reason. Sometimes it’s a sad memory, but more times than not, it’s a very happy or funny memory of something he said or did, or simply a thought of who he was. I definitely thought of him yesterday when I fell on a wet floor. Publicly, I blame the Ohio winter weather. Privately, I say “damn it, Downey!” – a phrase I coined a few days after Matt died, when I fell UP the stairs, and my Mom told me that she knew Matt would always be around for me. Those times when I am clumsy or something ridiculous happens to me, I always think of Matt, and can’t help but believe that is his way of coming through to me.
This winter also brings promise and excitement. I am starting a new job on Monday, at a medical center in the Columbus area. It’s an area in which I’ve always wanted to work, but even more so now. I know this will be a good move for me…I hope this will be my year to turn things around for myself, and start “living” again. And so I think of Matt, and how proud he would be of me for taking a chance, and doing something positive for myself.
To the Downey family, this winter brought a new member. Matt’s sister Emily and her husband, Mike, became the proud parents of a beautiful and healthy baby boy, Seth. He was born on January 3rd – just in time for the new year, full of hope and promise. He is another reminder of how life just goes on and on, and how precious and sweet it is. He is such a cute baby…so strong already and his eyes are wide open, just sort of taking it all in, which reminds me of someone else I used to know.
Matt would be so proud of Emily and Mike, and the wonderful parents they have instantly become. He would take pride in witnessing his brother, Mike, and his girlfriend, Carrie, and the great uncle and aunt they are to Seth. I know Matt would agree when I say that Seth is the luckiest grand-baby, to have Susan, Dave, Carol and (yet another) Mike for grandparents. He will be so spoiled and loved! What’s really special is Seth is lucky enough to have great-grandparents he will get to know, and who will love him with all their hearts. I just feel lucky to be an aunt for the third time; it never gets old, and it amazes me how it’s love at first sight…sort of how it was with Matt.
I got to experience Matt being an uncle to our nephew Zachary, who still talks about him all the time. He was a wonderfully fun uncle, and so loved for it. I only wish that Jackson and Seth, and any future little ones could know Uncle Matt the same way. It will be up those of us who knew him best to share the extraordinary qualities of his with those who will never know him in this life…his laughter…his grace…his intrepidness…his love of life, and all the good it has in it.
No Day But Today,
“Aunt” Jenn
Read Journal History
Links: http://www.nodaybut2day.org/ A Way to Help
http://www.cancer.duke.edu/btc/ A Place of Hope
http://www.goodsearch.com/ You Search, They Give
|
|
