Still Coping

One would think that there would be no surprises left when it comes to Andy, but that is not true. It is, most likely, the same for anyone who has lost someone they love dearly, not just me!
Andy has two Marine friends, one in Kansas City, Aaron, and one in Chicago, Kevin, who are running and decided to raise money for Andy's scholarship. They are amazing! The amount of work that they are putting into this for Andy is inspiring.
Of course, along with the all the race talk, there is a lot of "Andy talk" which keeps him right at the front of my mind. Everything reminds me of him: I see a Sharpie and I recall when he wrote his name on the arms of the Iraqi kids in the town the Marines made their camp. They all knew Andy's name. I see ice and remember that Andy was called "Ice Man" by the locals as he made the ice run into town for the unit. I see a dog and think of Frank, the dog that followed him everywhere in Iraq, and ran after his truck for miles when Andy came home.
Most of the time, it is OK but every once in a while, it is much like a punch to the solar plexus. Missing Andy is just a feeling that will always be there. Sometimes I can smile and at other times I will cry, but the emotions are a constant, a part of who I am. The pain is always there, lurking below the surface, and if there is a quiet moment, the feelings will creep in and my heart aches. Turning the sadness into a smile is something that I strive to do because I know that Andy would not want anyone to cry on his account.In fact, I can picture him standing over my shoulder as I write this, smiling in his goofy way, encouraging me to capture the joy. So smile ;-)'

"There is nothing to be unhappy about" - Ace Nowacki

Hike

I know that I have said that it never ceases to amaze me how Andy just keeps popping up in our lives, but it bears repeating.
This past week, we learned Troy Yocum, the Iraqi war veteran that is walking across America to raise money for Military families in need, is dedicating his walk through Eastlake to Classic Park in Andy's honor! Troy is a very special man with a dedication to his cause that many of you will relate to.
As always, it is such a mixed blessing: joy that Andy is never forgotten along with the pain of missing him. I grasp at whatever I can to cope with the loss of Ace; sometimes it is watching one of his "home" movies. It might be reading one of his letters or one of  emails that I saved. Many times it is just remembering Andy.

There was the time he called his police chief in sick so that they could eat breakfast together and then go to the St. Paddy's Day parade or the time he pimped out his police car and almost gave his Captain a coronary! In case you are wondering, his "alterations" consisted of: skulls for locks, a hula girl on the dash, a disco ball light and, the best part: Ace  lined up big, yellow smiley faces on the back window for anyone riding in the back to enjoy! When we drove to Grand River after Ace was killed, the Captain picked us up in that same police car. I smiled while riding in the back seat.:-)I guess we should always look at what we can smile about as opposed to what makes us sad, angry or indifferent.
Back to Troy. I am sure that Andy and other fallen heroes like Josh Harmon, Brian Montgomery and David Baker are walking step for step with Troy. They are supporting their brother, every inch of the way, in this grand endeavor. For me, I will be at Classic Park on Thursday, cheering on Troy and what he represents, hoping that I can take a few steps with him in honor of our fallen and I know that my Ace will be next to me, smiling, matching stride for stride.
If you want to read more about Troy, here is his web site:   http://drumhike.com/



Thank you for reading.
Sheila
  "There is nothing to be unhappy about"- Ace Nowacki