Soft Launch of my blog

Trying out my own blog...announced here first.

Read about me at: http://jenostrich.blogspot.com/

Blog, Take Two

I think I'm going to start my own blog. I've found this whole experience somewhat therapeutic while also reconnecting with my family members who live afar as well as my mom's dear friends.

So I gotta find some time to set it up but I'll make sure I post the new blog address here in case anyone is checking back, and of course on facebook and email.

My life isn't really all that interesting but many seem to be interested in it these days--so now you'll get to read all about it :)

Stay tuned.

Reality Check

Today I returned to work. A tad weird and unsettling. The whole question of "am I ready for this?" But after breakfast with my awesome boss and a receiving line of hugs as I entered, I walked into my office to find balloons floating around, flowers, a new candle and home made cupcakes (mmmmm). How nice is that?! And I realized I was nervous over nothing...and it's great to be returning to such a warm and welcoming group. The tough part was when I wanted to call my Mom to tell her how great my team is. As the days pass and the urges increase b/c the list of things I wish I could share with her is piling up, it's tough. But I continue to resign myself to "one day at a time" and go from there.

Off to sushi with a friend/co-worker...and just like that, through another day.

Here's lookin at ya!

Among your favorite places...where we once stood together. I took in the view today and smiled back thinking of you, Mom. I love you.

Message from the Battleground

Life is like "WAR" in a sense. I do not think we lost the war but we did loose a Battle. In that Battle we lost one "Soldier, our Mom, Wife and best Friend. It is definitely not easy being on the Battleground watching the smoke still rise, but i think this only makes us stronger to keep prepared for WAR and stronger for the next Battle. Although the smoke is still rising on the Battleground, I will continue to browse around to keep any flames from flaring up. I guess this means a trip out west.

Last night the girls and I went up to the Flock leader house to have a traditional steak dinner.
Today Margaret, Marissa and I are visiting a farm in southern Chester county to check out baby Lambs that were just born.

Shawn

I wish I could tell ya

I imagined on my first day back in LA I'd want to tell my mom how great the weather is and even post a picture of the ocean, my favorite view, from the place I took here when she came to visit. And I do. But what I really wish I could tell her is that I stumbled upon these pillows yesterday--with an Ostrich on it!!! I know she'd be having me buy them ASAP if she was here. So I think I may have to go back to the store and do just that. But for now, I just wanted to share them with anyone who's still reading...as those who know my mom well, know she would LOVE these pillows.

I'd like to think of it as a sign...she's finding ways to pop up in/around LA already and I'm just back for a day. And I guess that's what gets ya through.

Smiles everyone, today wasn't so bad.

Love,

jen

From the battleground to the homefront

I feel like I went to war. Not a “typical” war of course where my life is threatened on a daily basis. But a period of time that is so intense, where you see and do things that most people should never have to see or do in a lifetime. Like watch your mother fight for her life on a daily basis. Or see her literally take her last breath, going from warm to cold.

I feel like I went to war. I left LA and went to Philadelphia for what became a 6 week war. It was a much longer trip than I anticipated when I first came home but in many ways it was the longest and shortest 6 weeks of my life. And in those 6 weeks I bonded with my family in a way I never knew was possible. We found strength in each other and ourselves that we would’ve never known possible before this tragic time.

I feel like I went to war and have since been relocated back “home” but my wounded soldiers are still so near the battlefield where we all once stood. I’m leaving behind my “blood brothers,” my fearless flock leader and the smiles of the most amazing kids in the world. I just hope I'm not leaving behind my strength.

I feel like I went to war. And now it’s time to return to "life." It will never be the same, but I’m alive, I’m grateful and if for nothing else, I will live life to the fullest, just as my Mom would want. I have to.