Secretariat

I haven't posted anything in forever, but this was a must...

Two nights ago I was watching TV with the animals, and a movie trailer came on. I see Diane Lane and she has period costume and hair. And then they start talking about a horse...And they they mention the Triple Crown...And then I started crying. Because I know that they are going to say the horse's name, and that is going to be too much for me. SECRETARIAT. The most fantastic horse ever, and my mom's favorite horse ever. I must see this movie, and report back to her. I know that she would have been cheering at the TV had she seen that trailer.

Time with Donna

"Aunt" Sherry made an appearance at Whitney's graduation party. The girls have seen her more recently than I have. But I knew exactly who she was. She looks a lot like Donna to me. Maybe it's they way she lights up a room like Donna, the way she commands control of every conversation (without even trying to). It was so good to see her, but it kind of made me sad, and I told her so. In her great way, she turned things around by telling me a "Donna Story."

She told me about this time that she and Donna were out for New Years Eve dancing the night away. While they were in the club, an ice storm hit the city. Of course Donna was wearing 4 inch heels! When they left, Sherry helped Donna over to the cars on the side of the street so she could use them to hold herself up, but Donna still managed to fall and get hurt! They went to the E.R. (on New Year's Eve mind you) and Donna ended up in a sling.

They were due at Sherry's parents' house on New Years Day and their hospital visit made them even later than normal. So of course both sets of parents were mad as heck at them. When asked for an explanation, Sherry looked over at Donna and noticed that Donna had hidden the sling under jacket. She started to explain that they had been to the E.R. and Donna inserted, "for Sherry's friend..." Apparently Donna didn't want everyone to know that she had fallen like a fool! So Sherry made up some elaborate story about her friend that they had taken to the E.R. Classic Donna!

New Stage in My Life

I can't help but think about you mom as my college life is coming to a close. There are so many things that I could never tell you, and I wish we could just be silly and chat as we did when I was younger. My life back then was so boring compared to what I have experienced since you've been away. So many good things have come into my life and I hope to share them with you some day.

Graduation is approaching in just 6 weeks, can you believe it?!? It's been such a roller coaster and I have enjoyed every second. Can you believe I made it out alive? It's actually hard for me to wrap my mind around. I feel like I still do things in my life to make you proud even if you aren't there to see them first hand. Your presence is still with me every step of the way and I wanted to say thank you. I couldn't ask for a better life and it's full of people I love and care about.

I was just telling my friend the other day how we used to get dressed up and go to hockey games, and how you used to let me wear make up when I was ten or eleven years old. I will always remember you as a natural beauty :) I remember how you always used to start up a conversation with a complete stranger just because you saw them as a friend. I notice myself doing the same thing and I always smile and think of you. Even though my memories fade, I try to cherish the moments that enter my mind and hope that every day brings something new that makes you rush back into my thoughts.

I wish you could be there to see me throw my cap and carry a big smile on my face, but I can just imagine what your face would look like after I walk across that stage, and that will be enough for me! I am going to miss your antics at graduation because I know you would be the loudest one there.

I wonder what your image of me is now when I come into your mind? Is it the image of me as a little girl with my wild hair or it me now? I guess however you think of me, always remember that I will think of you with a smile on your face, your mom jean shorts and old Kentucky Derby t-shirts, gorgeous tanned skin and your bleached blonde hair :) because that's you, mom.

I miss you everyday and love you.

-Baby Whit

Kool-Aid Smile

Every time I make Kool-Aid, I do the same thing, and tonight was no exception. I opened the packet and poured it into the pitcher. Then, I took the empty packet and filled it with water and emptied it into the pitcher as well. I mixed in the sugar and filled with water the rest of the way. This funny thing with the packet was all my mom. We always had Kool-Aid in the house, and she filled the empty packet with water and dumped it in every single time. I think I asked her one time why she did it, and she stated that it was so all the mix came out. It's these funny little random things that I really miss, so I am glad I am able to chronicle them so I never forget.

C-A-T-S, Cats! Cats! Cats!

Following Kentucky's loss to Tennessee in men's NCAA basketball last weekend, I was completely depressed and swore I would never recover. I was so sick over it, I turned it off and shushed everyone who mentioned it in my presence. My mother, however, would have probably drawn the curtains and worn black for a week! She once actually CRIED when UK lost to Indiana! Seriously though, no one bled bluer than Mom. She had so much Kentucky gear, and I actually still have a couple of her shirts. She watched every game, win or lose.

The funniest part of this whole love affair with UK is that she isn't even from Kentucky! But you could never tell her that. She was a horse person through and through, and she was the biggest UK fan I have ever known. It was like she should have been from Kentucky. I remember countless battles between my mom and her mother because Mamaw was a die-hard Indiana fan. She loved Bob Knight, and he could do no wrong. How did her only daughter end up being a traitor?! On top of all this, Mom endured many a Kentucky joke from Uncle Rex.

The first UK basketball game I ever attended was an exhibition game at Riverfront Coliseum in Cincinnati. It was just the two of us, and I was SO excited. There was this guy who kept standing up and doing the C-A-T-S Cats, Cats, Cats! cheer. Mom got right up with him and did it every time! We had so much fun, and I still think of that every time I go to a game. And I scream and yell at the TV just like she did!

Mom was in love with Rick Pitino, and was devastated when he left to go back to the NBA. But she was still pretty excited when we were at a cafe on campus and in walked the current coach, Tubby Smith! I thought she was going to fall over! She had her favorite players like Jamal Mashburn and Derrick Anderson. I wish she would have known that I dated a guy who used to play with Derrick! I have been a UK fan since I came out of the womb, and I even ended up going there for college which only further solidified my fanaticism! My mom is the person responsible for all of that. C-A-T-S, Cats! Cats! Cats!

My Best Friend

I moved into a new place two weekends ago, and I have been overcome with emotions over it. I am officially on my own now, and I feel more like an adult than I ever have before. Of course, one major stress I had was finding a place I could bring my animals. Luckily, I found somewhere that I not only got to bring them, but didn't have to pay extra! So I was lying on the couch today with my doggie Ruby lying right on me. I looked around my new place, and I looked at her, and I told her" Ruby, you are my best friend." And this, of all things, really struck a sensitive nerve. Mom used to say this to her greyhounds all the time. I always thought it was silly or weird because I never understood. But Mom was by herself for a while, and even when she was around people, I think she tended to feel alone. Her hounds were her world, and there is NOTHING she wouldn't have done for them. They were like three four-legged children, and they acted like it too! I completely understand the feeling now. The dogs never judged her for what she did, never argued with her, never lied to her, and never left her. They loved her, listened to her, and most of all they needed her. I now know why she was always anxious when she had to leave them, and in a big hurry to get home to them. Ruby is glued to me pretty much all the time, and I tell her all the time how much "Grammy D" would have loved her. She appears to be a greyhound mix, which is really random but highly appropriate. I think she is even more special to me because of the connection with my mom.

MEMORY WALK 2009!

Ashley, Mike, and I with the Charleston River Dog!



I can't wait to tell you all how well the Memory Walk went! I decided to participate in the walk in Charleston since it is a beautiful city and I knew a lot of people would come out to support the cause! Everyone that came donated so much money to the Alzheimer's Association and Alzheimer's research which is a great step to ending this terrible disease.

I know so many of our friends and family members have been affected by Alzheimer's and it was amazing to see how many other people there are to support you during this hard time. There were more than 400 people that participated in the walk and the total money raised was $64,000!! My team had 11 members and we raised almost $500! I was so proud of everyone that contributed to the cause since it means to so much to me and my family.

It was located at Charleston Harbour and we walked about a mile along a path around the pier passing by old naval ships and we even saw a few dolphins that were feeding in the shallows. Overall, it was a really good day. After the walk ended, we went back to the main pavilion to participate in a raffle! We were each given a walker number and at the end of the day, they called out numbers to win gifts that had been donated to send out their thanks for those who came out for the function. My friends Mike and Kent ended up being two that won!

It was an amazing day with close friends and I was so happy I was able to honor my mother at this gorgeous event :) Thank you to everyone that donated and I love you guys.