Crazy Week

So much has happened in the past eight days. I had intended to write about each event, but things just kept snowballing!

First, last Tuesday I went to my first Crosstown Classic! It was a wonderful time, although you would be surprised how hard it is to give away a ticket! I went with my mom, my cousin and one of my friends. It was wonderful weather and a good game, unfortunately the Sox did loose. Of course, they did win the next day!

Thursday was a whirlwind! I had my very first outdoor skate (to prepare for Sunday's Pride Parade). Afterwards I hurried up to Old Orchard Mall to a Janet Evanovich book signing! I was truly lucky to have a wonderful friend who waited in line for me so that I could make sure my first out door skate wasn't in front of 850, people.

Saturday I had my first AFSP even as the Outreach and Education Committee Co-Chair. We had our annual Bipolar and Depression Awareness Day. We had a good turn out!

And Sunday I skated with Derby Lite in Chicago's Pride Parade. It was a hot day and a long skate. But it was an awesome event to be apart of!



But the weekend also brought some heartache. Our little November had to be taken to the hospital. We learned that there was fluid in and around her lungs and her heart was four to five times too big. What this basically means is that we will probably only have another year with her. Tomorrow she goes to see the kitty cardiologist so that we can learn how to care for her for our remaining time with her and get a more specific prognosis.

That was my week in a nutshell!

AFSP Overnight 2012-San Francisco

June 9th and 10th Joe and I volunteered for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Overnight Walk in San Francisco. This was Joe's second walk and my third. As always it was an amazing experience. We met some amazing people, supported hard working walkers and helped make a difference in the stigma towards mental illness and suicide.

One of the most touching parts for me was a woman we met in the park where our Rest Stop was. When we arrived we had to clear out the park. While most of the people were upset with us, one woman was curious. She wanted to know more about us. As we continued setting up, I went over and chatted to her a bit. I wanted to thank her for understanding our need to empty out the park. While talking to her I learned that she had lost her brother to suicide in the past month. Being able to direct her to resources and plant a seed of hope meant a lot to me.

After we closed and cleaned up our Rest Stop, we made our way back to the site of the Closing Ceremony's where the Luminary bags were lining the end of the walk. The above is the one Joe decorated. I dedicated one to my struggle and another to the people who  have struggled along with me.

We are looking forward to hearing where next year's location is! *Fingers crossed for Chicago.*