it is really late right now on a saturday night but i just needed to write something...

today was a day of joy and sadness. you an awesome guy died on may 10th of this year. Jim became kind of a distant relative to us through marriage many years ago but with my family, distance in the family tree doesn't really matter much because we are all so close (like one family friend says.. we "travel in packs!" LOL :) anyways, Jim was just a great guy and he is being missed by so many, especially his wife and two young sons. today was the 1st annual golf tournament that is being played in honor of his memory. and we are having a fundraiser in october to help raise money for his wife and boys. because so much is going on to honor Jim's memory, everything is still so fresh in my mind.

what would have been im's 36th birthday was last sunday and we went over to my sisters house to celebrate his memory, but i couldn't help but think when i was telling a friend that "it is Jim's birthday so we are going over to my sister's house" that Jim would actually be there. in spirit, of course he was there and he will forever be with us in our hearts and in everything we do, but anyone who has lost a loved one can vouch for me when i say.. it is just not the same! i was looking at pictures today of Jim and sure the pictures are great and the memories are priceless but it just saddens me that those are all we have left of him. again i wouldn't trade my memories of him or my family or my friends for anything but i still just find it hard to believe that
he is really gone.

the thing that gives me the greatest joy out of such a tragic thing is seeing all the people who love Jim coming together to make the fundraiser an amazing success. even people who did not know Jim or any of his friends and family want to help and are asking what they can do. this is just incredible. i don't think i've ever seen anything like it and i am very proud to be part of such a wonderful thing!

if you want to know more, please visit the website that was set up for the fundraiser: