John’s senior year of high school has been bittersweet. It’s been full of firsts and lasts. Lasts for John. Firsts for all of us without Mike.
Charlie and Mikey at Singsation
Mike’s birthday, eight days after he died, was the first such event. It was so fresh, and John had a swim meet on that day so that made it easier because at least John and I were distracted.
Then I immediately went to Kansas City for my first appointment with the radiation oncologist. I did radiation at KU Med Center because I could be done before John started school.
John’s first day of his senior year, another first and last. Cross country meets that Mike usually went to. The fall play, winter band and vocal concerts, Scholar’s bowl meets, and senior night. At least I made it off the court before I broke down.
Then there was the birth of our first grandchild. What a blessing.
John getting ready for Singsation
I’ve committed to being here for John’s senior year, and I have been. I feel like his not knowing whether Mike and I were going to be in town or making a last-minute medical trip had him grow up too fast. I wanted to put a little normalcy back into his life.
Then came Singsation. My parents were home, and mom asked John if he would be doing a solo. Only during a group number, he said. I was going to sing Jessie’s Girl, but I didn’t practice it. I was about to take a bite of dinner and I stopped myself because I knew at that point that I would not be able to swallow.
Jessie’s Girl is the first song that Mike and I danced to. One day in the last few years we were shopping, and it came on. I asked Mike if he remembered. He didn’t.
Mike watching John at a golf tournament.
It had been on my 18th birthday and we didn’t start dating until two-and-a-half years later. But the story must have made an impression on the boys because anytime it came on after that we talked about it.
This kid is so sweet as are all the boys, sometimes I can hardly believe it. They had a great role model in their kind, gentle father.
John’s first golf tournament starts tomorrow. Mike loved to go to the golf tournaments. He’d take the cart because he wasn’t able to walk that far. I told John a long time ago that I wouldn’t be taking the cart, it looks like too much trouble to me. I’ll walk.
Then in the last few weeks, I’ve been reminded about graduation. Oh yeah, I need to do a reception. I need to get invitations.
Then we’ll be off to his last swim meets. And it won’t be long until he’s gone to college. There have been so many firsts and lasts. First time without Mike, last time for John, and the last time for high school events for me as a mom.
The final number at Singsation with John singing a solo.
Again, it’s been a bittersweet school year.
Jessie’s Girl for old times sake.
Onward! I Speak Ohmart. What is your language?
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