The Beginning of the Season

Photo by Paige Haase

The week of Thanksgiving is upon us. My favorite holiday!

I just want to take this time to tell all of my family and friends that I hope you all have a truly blessed Thanksgiving. May it be filled with the awakening of memories of great family times, full of love and laughter.

This was the one holiday that my family got together to share funny childhood stories with each other, and with new members as the family grew.  It was the Pruitt's Christmas too. We made it our time, every year to give our gifts to each other.

Those times are missed, but, new traditions have been created. From adventure picnics on Mt. Hood  to Wii-stock with friends. We are blessed with great friends and family to spend this time of giving thanks with! What a wonderful gift, each year!

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Too much time has past!

Photo by Paige Pruitt-Haase

As I went back into accounts and changed passwords, I realized just how long it has been since I have written a blog. Empty promises of continuing travel stories and sharing more photos! Wow, I have really let everyone down.

Since March, so much has happened. I am not sure if I can recollect all, but here are a few.

From March to May, I looked forward to going to see my nephew, Nicholas, take his first communion. My father was going too. All of us under one roof. My sister-in-law's roof! I was so excited to spend the time with them all.

Well the trip came and went all too fast! It was truly a wonderful time. Nicky looked smashing on his special day, and his party was a hit for all ages. Bouncy house, catered gourmet and free flowing conversation and laughter.

It was also Derby Day, which in my family, was always an important day! So everyone placed horse names in a hat, and for a friendly wager, you could draw a horse.

It was great fun to share this with my dad. It has been years since the whole family was at Churchill Downs together. My parents owned a race horse or two which also allowed them to choose membership to the Owner's Club. Which in its self, was never dull! But the last time I was there, I was alone with mom and dad. It was a winning day for the three of us and the mood was terrific.

The last race, dad hit it really big! He was rolling in the winnings! I had never seen him having so much fun! I loved that feeling.

That evening, dad was trying to watch a tv show, mom & I were talking. We were oblivious to the fact that he was becoming very annoyed. After asking us kindly, several times, to keep it down or go into the next room, he finally leaned into mom and said, "I will give you each $100 to stop talking or go into the other room". Mom and I looked at each other, smiled and turned to dad and stuck our hands out for the money! Dad reached into his wallet and paid up! We all laughed until we cried! He paid us from his winnings that day, for a little peace and quite!

Nicky's First Communion Party had the same atmosphere. Friends and family enjoying the time together. We even raised a glass to Gregory. There was a toast to him. It was hard to hear, to feel joy at that moment. Why was I there and not my brother? I went upstairs and prayed. I took a few moments to breathe and then rejoined the party.

It was still a wonderful day.

The weekend also included a Mets game for my dad's 75th birthday! I felt so blessed to be able to be with him, especially for his birthday! The Mets lost, but boy, what a day!

Photo by Paige Pruitt-Haase

Our next adventure at this point... Bend with my family!

A Year Has Past

Today I find myself reflecting on the events of March 2010. My family was torn at the seams when my brother passed away suddenly. Yet, his passing made us closer than we have ever been.

After several years of being disconnected with each other, we were slowly patching things up. My brother and I had always stayed in touch. He shared with me how his family was growing and everything he was up to. But he was the only connection I had with my immediate family. Mom and Dad had made their choice about their relationship with me, and so had I about them. It was too painful to be in the middle of family misunderstandings - both sides. I had to heal and find my place in my own life.

Our time apart, to me, was not wasted. I was stronger and better for it. I was also grateful for the monthly emails from my brother, or the occasional calls. Keeping track of when someone may have had health problems or life celebrations. He was always my go-between, no matter the circumstance, as children and as adults.

I had spent time in the months preceding his death, writting my Mom. Sharing my life with her. We were connecting again. I even surprised my parents with a visit during a business trip to Florida. To me, part of a barrier was broken when I saw them.

But, we were suddenly faced with losing the one person in our small family of four, that kept us all together. Dad and I were thrust back into each others lives, to support and love each other as we tried to remain strong for my ailing mother. We put aside grievances and then became a winning team.

The year that followed the painful loss was filled with great triumphs for my Dad and I. We had to come together again to take care of my mother. Again, we were a team. There for each other. It is so heartwarming to know that the time we spent apart, I believe, allowed us to spend such a hard time together and make it through.

So, the year has past. The anniversary is here. I miss my brother. Always will.

I go back and read old emails he sent. I look at photos, that will soon be old. He is still larger than life to me.

The sadness will always be there, I know. So will the memories. There is great joy and thankfulness that he was MY brother. I am blessed.

A New Year

While most people take some time to look back at the year just past and write of its history, mostly recording accomplishments and great events. I however want to take a huge leap back into my past. Landing in a time and place where I remember the laughter and good times. I look at the time I was 5 years old, swimming in our backyard pool in Dallas, Texas. I can hear myself yelling from the slide, "Watch this!" over and over until mom or dad would watch me again, and again repeat the same trick my brother taught me. Face first down the water slide! I loved it when my dad would wait at the bottom of the slide and catch me as I hit the pool. He would quickly pull me under the water, then shoot me straight up to the sky! I always felt like I was flying for a moment before I came splashing down!

Why would this come to mind instead of  cheering in the new year? Well, as the ball began to drop, everyone started to count down. 10, 9, 8.... For months prior to this moment I thought of how sweet it is going to be to be able to say "good bye" to 2010 with a great cheer. But my thoughts drifted to the memories of having to say good bye to my brother and my mother instead. My heart ached once again at the thought of not having any more chances to say "Happy New Year" to them. Once again I wished they were here. I realized that I miss them even more now.

I would like to dedicate this new year to them. I pray that relief from this grief will come soon. I have hope that it will. So for now I will continue to look back into my past and find only those happy memories of our times of laughter and adventures. I am ever so thankful that I have my father in my life and pray that our relationship continues to build and gain strength.

Blessings to you all. I pray you too find those wonderful family memories to bring you great joy in the new year.