// I’m almost done packing for my hectic summer.//

How hectic, you ask?

5/23 : Tomorrow I head to Camp Nazareth in Western Pennsylvania

5/24: I head to Moon, PA (Pittsburgh area) for the ACRY Bowling Tournament

5/27: I head back to CN to start prepping for the summer. Family Weekend is the first weekend in June, and June 2nd is Family Day, which is kind of like the opening day of camp.

6/8: Going to a wedding in Delmont, PA with my friend, Jeffy. Then driving to Johnstown, PA and crashing at my friends Nick & Stacey’s house.

6/9: Drive to Harrisburg for another wedding. After the ceremony, drive home and throw everything into a bag, then hop on a train to NYC.

6/10: Start 2-week Musical Theatre Intensive at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts (AADA) in NYC. Staying with a friend in the city.

6/14: Probably head home after classes in order to get some planning for next year’s BT done.

6/16: Head back into the city for second week of classes

6/21: Showcase for AADA program

6/22: Go home, do some laundry, pack bag. Go see The Little Mermaid at Paper Mill Playhouse.

6/23: Throw bag in car. Coordinate with Andy and pack all of his stuff in my car. Rachel & Andy road trip part three (Return to Camp)

Then planning for our diocesan weeks goes into overdrive and I’ll be at camp until August 4th.

If everything goes according to plan, I’ll leave early on Sunday, and get home in time to pack another quick bag, and be a part of the IOCC/Habitat for Humanity build in Tom’s River, NJ. That one is still a question mark though, as I have to pay for the trip in full to hold my spot. It’s not a TON of money, but it’s enough that I have to wait to make sure that I can swing it.

And I’m almost done packing. Which scares me, because I feel like I’m missing things. Even though I have a list. The same list I use every year and add to. It’s just super difficult to pack for all of these different things at once. Especially because I have to bring real dresses with me to camp for the banquet at the BT and for the weddings.

I’m tired just thinking about this summer, but I’m also excited for lots of fun times with my friends!

// Thank you.//

I want to say a thank you to all of you who have reached out to me over the past week or so. Whether it was words of comfort, liking of a text post, or some encouragement, I really appreciate it.

I know myself, and I don’t think that I’m through the worst of my grieving just yet.

On Thursday, I’ll head out to camp, and I’m sure that I’ll have some spare moments where I’ll get to thinking. It will be a nice break.

Fr. Rosco was also the camp administrator for three years, albeit when I was VERY young (like, he was there from `88-`90. I was born in `89) so I know that being there will dredge up some memories. I watched camp videos and home movies last week and just kind of let it sink in.

Monday was really tough for me, as well as for most people, but it was the first time that I was able to walk up to the coffin and actually say a final goodbye and give a final kiss goodbye. It’s difficult, but something I knew I needed to do.

I had a lot of people making sure I was okay, and I appreciated that, and it made me value my friends even more.

In light of everything going on though, I’ve really stepped back to evaluate some things in my life. There are so many things that I’ve said “If I had the time, I’d love to…” but the time is now, and if I don’t make the effort to make the time to take care of myself, do mission work, travel, volunteer, or whatever that ellipsis may be followed by, then I’m not living fully.

So I will continue to write about my health, and I think I can expect to write a bit more frequently. It’ll be difficult at camp (I have to be in the main lodge to get the internet), but I’ll make the effort, because I know it’s something I have and will continue to benefit from.

So than you all for your patience, your kind words, your thoughts, and your prayers. I’m not fully back together yet, but I’m working on it. I’m a work in progress and will draw strength from those around me and by living my life the way that Fr. Michael lived his, in Christ and in a way that benefited as many people as possible.

As our Bishop said during the eulogy, Fr. Michael touched “not tens, not hundreds, but thousands of lives” with his humanitarian efforts and his constant outreach. I want to live my life in that way.

Sorry that this post is once again, non-migraine related and reflective and all, but it’s something that I wanted to share with anyone who cares to read it. I appreciate you all and thank you for being there for me <3

shutupaubrey:

team “i wore this yesterday but i’m going to a different place so it doesn’t matter”

(via flaresof-fibro)