not anti-mothers day, but...

This week has been tough...

Don't get me wrong, there are happy things. My brother and sister-in-law celebrated their tenth anniversary yesterday, and honestly, I'm surprised that someone is able to put up with him for that long. Dad turns 70 next week, and it's fun reminding him that he's moving onto a new decade (even if he really doesn't want to admit it). 

But this week has still been tough...

Mom passed away nearly nine months ago. She was 73, and lost her nearly two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. I made it through her birthday in September fairly easily; perhaps I was still a bit numb from all of it.   With Christmas (her favorite) there were moments, but overall, I honored her memory with a vodka gimlet (with olives) and reminiscing about holidays-past with friends and family. Easter, although never a big holiday in our family, made me think of her as all the daffodils were in bloom.

And then the ads and reminders of  Mother's Day popped up everywhere - work, CVS, even freakin' ESPN. While the initial pain isn't renewed by any means, the constant mention of the day certainly doesn't make it easy for me (or anyone) experiencing a first Mother's Day without Mom.

Sunday is Mothers Day. I will again have a vodka gimlet and buy a bouquet of daffodils in her memory. And yes, I probably will shed a tear or two.
Never miss a chance to tell your Mom you love her. I wish I could again.

hope springs eternal

Easter was never really a big holiday in my family, In fact, last year was the first time I was home for Easter since my senior year in high school. 

Easter is a a time for hope and renewal, which usually coincides with the physical onset of spring. 

Easter was also the last holiday I saw Mom happy and healthy. Last year, I (as well as my family) really did have reasons for hope and celebration of life. Hope in that her tests all came back negative and the cancer had not spread. Mom looked  - and more importantly - felt healthy and her attitude was positive as ever. She was happy and was still able to live life to the fullest (with a couple rest stops along the way). We celebrated her health and happiness. It was a time of renewal as we all thought she had turned a corner and was going to continue the good fight. While her spirit was strong enough to do so, her body had been ravaged by the fight. And you know the how the story ends.  I am extremely thankful I made the trip home last Easter, as I got to see Mom as Mom one last time. 

However, Mom has never left us. Her spirit lives on, and I especially feel it during spring. Mom loved flowers and the color yellow. Daffodils are among the first flowers to bloom, signalling the onset of spring. It takes me back to Easter as a kid - daffodils in bloom along the front walk, wearing a frilly dress I did not pick out, and hunting for Easter eggs. It was a simpler, carefree time.

On Saturday I was at the store and I noticed a bunch of daffodils in the floral department. I'm not one to buy myself flowers, but I was drawn to them. And really, there was no way I couldn't get them.

Those daffodils now sit in a mason jar on my coffee table. And while nothing can bring Mom back, I can always bring a little reminder of her spirit home.

five on a friday

This is an off-shoot of the "seven on a Sunday" project. I always thought the number seven to be overused, and "five on a Friday"just sounds better to me. Plus, it helps time drag a little less at work on a Friday.

I didn't choose a theme, unless you count "random" as a theme. In fact, that will likely be a common "theme" as I just take a photo as the mood strikes. And don't be surprised to see photos of the pooch either.

1 - north point lighthouse, milwaukee | 2 - historic water tower, st. mary's hill

3 - play ball, miller park | 4 - adorable kid, miller park

5 - daisy, simple cafe

on wisconsin

A true Marquette fan cannot cheer on the Badgers. Sorry. ~ an unnamed Marquette Alum

And so the "rivalry" begins...

There is a reason why it's "rivalry" and not rivalry. A true rivalry denotes a dislike on both sides (read: Ravens v. Steelers, Bears v. Packers). Seeing that the Badgers usually don't give a rat's ass about Marquette, it's hard to consider that a rivalry. It seems to be something that's been inflated in the minds of Marquette alum.

Yes, I am a Marquette alum. I cheered on the Badgers (over Oregon, Baylor and Arizona mind you). And I hope they serve up some Kentucky Wildcat for dinner on Saturday. 

Does that mean I am not a true Marquette fan? I say no, but it depends on who you ask.

Some background: I grew up on the east coast, raised by Midwesterners. As a kid, I cheered for the ACC because of Maryland, the Big East because of Georgetown and the Big 10 because of Minnesota. Today it's the Big East because of Marquette and Georgetown, and the Big 10 because of Maryland (that's just weird) and Minnesota. The ACC...meh. The PAC 10 was considered evil...and still is. Dad was hoping for a 75% Big 10 Final Four (thanks for screwing that up, state of Michigan). I know Mom would have cheered for Wisconsin (even with the whole Minnesota Paul Bunyan axe thing).

Bottom line, I never hated or even disliked Wisconsin. Maybe I've just kept quiet about it. Why? To save face with some of my fellow Marquette alum. Perhaps.

When Marquette plays Wisconsin in basketball, you're damn right I go for Marquette...I want those state bragging rights. However, I don't like anyone when they play Marquette.

But at this point, I don't care if I'm ostracized for cheering for the the Badgers. There, I said it.

I've lived in Wisconsin as long as I've lived in Maryland. I call both places home. Maybe that's why the Badgers have grown on me. Or maybe if Wisconsin wins, the majority of people around me are happy and life just seems better.

Or maybe there are more pressing things on which to expend my energy. Will they ever find the remains of Malaysian Airlines light 370? Is there a possibility for peace in the Ukraine? And more importantly, what am I having for lunch?

And I can tell you, Maryland and Georgetown don't have this one-sided rivalry; they peacefully co-exist along the Capitol Beltway. If it works in Maryland/DC, surely it can work in Wisconsin. 

Will I bleed Marquette blue and gold when it comes to college basketball? Absolutely. 

Does cheering on Wisconsin make me a bad Marquette fan? No. In fact, it makes me an open-minded one. And trust me, Marquette needs to be more open-minded (but that's a post for another time).

So I leave you with three words...
Fuck 'em Bucky!