Andy

For a long time now, I have written off and on  my own personal thoughts about Andy and how to live without him. I decided that maybe the feelings and stories should be shared. Today is the day. The world did not end yesterday, as some predicted, so it seemed right to start something new today.

After six years, there are many folks of the mind that I should "get over it", "move on". Whatever the phrase of choice is, they all mean the same: we are uncomfortable with your grief. I can pretty much guarantee that anyone who mouths pat phrases such as those, have never had a significant loss in their lives. They will understand when they do experience a death that one does not "move on". What you really do is alter your reality to manage the gigantic hole in your life that was once filled with a person that you loved for 23 years. My way is to talk about Andy and tell his stories, stories of his extraordinary humor and his great regard for the well being and happiness of anyone he knew.

For those who have stumbled upon this blog, Andy is L Cpl Andrew "Ace" Nowacki, a  Marine who was killed in Babil Province, Iraq, February 25, 2005. Andy was the lead gunner in a humvee that was protecting a convoy. He was three weeks from coming home from his second deployment. Andy's death not only affected his family, but so many others in many different ways. I will attempt to capture Andy, those he has affected and still does affect along with how we cope with the pain of his loss.

"There is nothing to be unhappy about" ;-)'

Quoted by Andy Nowacki when he was asked why he always smiled.