8 Long Months

As of yesterday, it has been 8 months since my friend Shannon was killed. It has been such a long, surreal eight months. I use the term surreal for lack of a better word.  You would think that after 8 months, I would have come to accept that she is gone. The surreal part is that I haven't. I can't even count the number of times I have to convince myself again and again of the event that happened 8 months ago; the event that took such a great friend and person from me, her family, and this world. Maybe it is because I'm not around there right now.  I would only be catching up with her through phone calls and facebook chats like we have for the last year and a half. So I guess it's those times that I get the urge to call her that I have to face reality.

Some things have been weighing on me heavily recently. For some reason, her memory, her story, and our times spent together have been heavily on my mind. Of course, I think of her every day; but the past couple of weeks have been different. Something about it...

It's that feeling you get when you have forgotten something important. But, this time, it's connected to her. I feel there is something I should be doing or should have done and I just can't quite place my finger on it.  I know there is a lot I want to do once I move back to Georgia but it's big plans and plans I am still unsure of how to start. Maybe that is what I am supposed to be doing. I'm not sure. But I feel that she is with me and pushing me to do something. I just wish I knew what it was so I could shake this feeling.

I miss her dearly and cherish every memory I have of her. I hope that her positivity and kindness can live on through me and I hope to be a part of her children's lives so that I can tell them stories of their mother. Rest in peace my sweet Shannon. I know I'll see you again.

If you or someone you know is being affected by domestic violence, please click on some of the links I've provided and speak up! 

In Shannon's spirit, enjoy what is to come and laugh every chance you get!