As I continue to take small steps back into life and figure out what "reality" now looks and feels like to me and Barb and our family, I have many new perspectives on life. They seem like clichés but when you actually live them then you realize that they can be very real too. They are expressions like, "Live life to the fullest", "take it one day at a time", "don't let the moments in life pass you by"... I could go on for hours
I have had lots of reflection time throughout this past year and more specifically these past few weeks as I re-enter life and figure out what reality looks like. What I am learning is that every day is different and I really do and we really do, "take it one day at a time".
I wanted to say a heartfelt thank you to each one of you in this club who have chipped in and built Libby a Pink Gaucho and delivered it on Christmas morning, came to Libbys Service, bought LIBSTRONG shirts, sent texts, emails, called, posted words of encouragement, put pink stickers on your Cruiser, worn pink bracelets, donated money, brought us meals, and did just about anything you could, to support me and my family thru the nightmare that we experienced in the past 14 months of our lives. There is no way easy to put it... it sucked and still sucks, but somehow we will find a way to get through it and I want all of you to know that one of the ways we get thru it, is knowing that relationships we've built and the ones we've yet to build, will help us.
I want to make sure that I point out that I have been a part of this club for the last 5 years, less a part for the past couple, but always around, and I have met some great folks and look forward to meeting many more. I have seen this club rally around so many of its members in times of need and that is a true testament for the caliber of people that have built this club, helped it grow and continue to put the work into making is something we all love. Whether it be Celebrating accomplishments of our children, birth of new ones, the loss of Ramons dad, Jared's brain tumor, a cruiser broken down and needs help to fix, loss of pets, loss of a family member or losing a job or moving , just to name a few, we all have stepped up next to each other and done all you could to help.
The experience of being Libbys dad left me with some pretty incredible life lessons. I write them down when I can and i try to do all i can each day to be better as a person than i was the day before. Some of these lessons I knew already, some I have re-learned and some are brand new. To me, in this life, not just this new life, big picture Perspective is key and relationships are everything to me. I love building them and most would say that I have a way of collecting friendships along the way. I have so much to learn from each person I meet in this life. That will never change.
I look forward to seeing you all again soon, on a trail, at a bar or maybe in a parking lot but either way, I look forward to it because I know that a hobby that I love and brings me great joy, is encompassed by great people with great hearts.
I will always keep a pink LIBSTRONG bracelet on, a pink pinwheel in our yard and a Pink sticker on my car and I will fight to help make someones life easier who has to go thru this. If you want a bracelet or sticker send me your address! I have lots
If you'd like to read what was said at Libbys Service by me, my brother, or Libbys babysitter who really is more like a family member and calls Libby her best friend, you can read here:
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/libbyjones/journal
Part of "LIBSTRONG" to us is remembering that which is most important in this life, and being inspired to be better everyday in every way. In order to keep this in front of the many folks who followed us on Caring bridge, my wife started a blog to continue our story. you are welcome to read :
www.cheektocheekstrong.wordpress.com
From the Jones Family,
thank you
LIBSTRONG
