Day 365 – Farewell Friend

She was so much more than my cousin
She truly was my sister
And for the remainder of my living days
I am deeply going to miss her

I can think of her and smile

This year has helped to clear the fog
I feel I have truly honored her life
By living out this blog.

What a strangely beautiful, bitter sweet feeling I have today. I feel that this blog has been one of the best things I have ever done. I feel like I set out on a journey of healing and a way to honor my cousin and whole heartedly feel that I have done just that.

I vividly remember the first day I began this blog and how it went from idea to manifestation in the same day. I had no idea of the changes, healing, fun and even challenges this would bring. When I began I was a stay at home mom with a small furniture booth I ran. I had no idea that only 3 months later, I would get an opportunity that was truly a career shift. I went from all the time in the world on my hands to a full time job. Some days this proved challenging but looking back it only makes me more proud of my determination and follow through. Also, I feel that it is a good example to those that think they just don’t have the time to do something every day to improve their personal life.

I have received a lot of feedback over the last year from perfect strangers and people I know saying that the blog has changed their life and way of living. That makes my heart truly happy knowing that something good for others has come from this – and I just know for a fact that Heather would be so touched and happy about that.

Meanwhile, this blog has brought me to meet and connect with many amazing people both local and country wide. The blog is officially being read in over 20 countries, which is absolutely astounding to me. I would like to officially thank every single person who has ever taken the time to read this blog. I look forward to you continuing to tune into the new blog that begins next week. I will not be writing every day but it will be quite often and will continue in this same theme of living with intention, trying new things and MORE!!!

For my blog today I actually got a cake and had them write on it “HGAL365 Farewell Friend”. I had my mom over and while I was cooking dinner we all did a lovely toast to Heather. After dinner we ate the cake and popped off a confetti bomb (yup….right in the house lol) as a final farewell to my cousin and friend and in celebration of the last year. It was just so nice to be surrounded by my family on this very important evening. Cheers to an amazing life lived by Heather.

I would like to take the time to thank some very important people in my life that have been absolutely instrumental to me in this process during the last year.

Vinny- My husband, best father ever (father by choice not just blood), best friend in the world, biggest supporter and for the last year my cameraman (most days). He has been there to join me in many of my quests even though he works many hours. I’m sure he didn’t always want to be out doing it all…but he never complained. He offered words of support, tried to help me to come up with ideas on things to do when I was stumped, made sure the house was quiet when I sat down to write, assisted even more than usual with the house and shopping or whatever I needed. We laughed a lot and had a ton of fun too. From Day 1 all the way through to Day 365, he never missed a night and my cup truly overflows with appreciation for the man he is in every single way. Thank you my love!

My Boys- Brian, Micah and Elijah. I know every mom thinks this but I truly was blessed over and over and then over again with these three guys entering my life. And in true form and as they always have been, they stepped up and supported me yet again. When I was in NC to visit, Brian made sure each night I never missed my midnight deadline. He checked in and asked how it was going and always offered words of support. Micah also offered his words of support and was willing to get out of his comfort zone and try new things for my intentions and we ended up having so much fun together. Elijah joined me on many of my adventures and sincerely told me how proud he was of me on more than one occasion and told me how proud he knew Heather would be of me too. They all adjusted and jumped to it whenever they heard me say the words “do it for the blog” which was so sweet of them all. I don’t know many teenaged and grown men that would have remained so involved in their mother’s endeavor but they were. They know what Heather meant to me and they loved her too. I hope they were able to learn as I did from this experience. Thank you sweetie pies!!

Mom- I can’t say enough how happy I was when my mom came to live in Rhode Island. She isn’t just my mom, she is my friend. I am so happy to have been able to have included her in so many of my activities. She was always good to go anytime I asked her if she wanted to come participate or even just to take the pics (a million thank for the Christmas Day beach pics- great job!!). She loved Heather a great deal and I know it was important for her to be able to be a part of this blog as much as possible. As with Vinny, my mom never missed a day. She read the blog and sent me messages regarding every single one. I appreciate that support from the bottom of my heart. Thanks mommy!!

Corina- My sissy pooh. We are closer now than ever and I truly appreciate your continued love and support. You are my friend, my sister, my confidant and loyal reader. Although we live the length of the country apart, you are right here by my side and I by yours. Thank you for your love, laughs and constant encouragement. Thank you for being such a major part in the lives of Heathers family. You are truly their blessing so keep up the good work!! Love you now…Love you always.

Lindsey- My bestie. We have been friends for so many years now. Thanks for your support and love. Have we ever, ever talked once without laughing? I love that! Not sure many people know me like you do. Heather would have loved you so much and I am sad you never got the opportunity to meet her. I appreciate your friendship and for reading the blog whenever you can. I know as a busy mom of two little ones, it’s not always easy. But I appreciate still being a priority in your life as you are in mine. Cheers!!! (Chee-aahs) lol

Jen- You are a true doll! We have been in each others lives in one capacity or another off and on for 17 years now and I have always adored you and we have had fun in the past but this year I feel we became true friends. I am thankful and blessed that again (for the third time) we lived in the same part of the country…this time just roads apart. Thank you for our walks, talks, dinners and more. Vinny and I are all the better for having you and Carlos in our lives. Your support with my blog truly matters to me. I appreciate you reading it faithfully and all the lovely feedback. Love you girlie!!

Tammy- So much more than a boss. You are truly my friend. I appreciate on every single level that from the moment you found out about my blog, you embraced it so. You took part in a number of my intentions, even with your daughters! I appreciate you researching and looking up things for me to do and giving me so many awesome ideas for fun stuff since you are a native and I was new to the area. Good looking out!! I thank you for letting me leave early at times because you knew just how important this all was to me. But most of all I cherish and appreciate the friendship we have come to have and I believe in my heart the blog intentions had so much to do with that. You are an amazingly strong woman, super duper funny and I am the better for having you in my life!

Kim- Coworker and friend. Thank you for the supportive talks. Thank you for being involved also in my intentions and even getting your granddaughter, Justice involved. I appreciate that you said I have inspired you. I thank you for your support and friendship and always reading the blog and being so excited about it right along with me. I appreciate the feedback you give and appreciate the fact that you take the time to be involved. xo

Lena- I’m sure you’re going to be humble and say you haven’t done anything but you have supported me from the very first day with this blog! I am so blessed to have such an awesome neighbor and someone that has become such a true friend. Thank you for the walks, the talks, the laughter and yummy snacks! You rock!!

To my readers- Thank you for reading. Thank you for the feedback. Thank you for your support. Thank you for embracing this blogs premise and understanding what it meant to me. But best of all…thank you for listening and loving the memories of my lovely, amazing, most cherished cousin Heather.

I will be starting a new blog. This blog will be named and announced on this blog in one additional post no later than Jan 17^th so please stay tuned.

God bless you all and as always #HGALforever #Cheers