She's running for her two children, Aidan and Owen, that lost their birth mother when they were 5 and 2. She's running for me, because their mother, my first wife, died of cancer. She's running because my first wife and her children's birth mother was her childhood friend. She's running because Amy Brei Donaldson died on June 8th, 2007, at the, otherwise healthy and very young, age of just 31 years old: dead, stricken with 500 tumors from the waste up at just 31 years old.
old /ōld/ Adjective Having lived for a long time; no longer young. Made or built long ago: "the old quarter of the town".
This definition has no place in Amy's story. She did not live for a long time. Ask Owen. He doesn't remember her. Ask Aidan. His memories of her are of the things I've told him since she died. If she lived a long time she wouldn't be dead. I hope I've said the right things to Aidan for his memory's sake. Amy was not made or built a long time ago. 31 years old makes no sense.
Synonyms ancient - aged - olden - antique - former
Of these words "Ancient" makes sense now, at least to Owen. Ancient is as if something never existed in your lifetime. "Former" makes the most sense to Holly, Aidan, and I. To Holly, Amy is a former friend, to me, Amy is my former wife, and to Aidan, Amy is his former mother.
Words lose meaning, become cruel, breakdown, are numb. Words are too human and do not beat a human heart. When your mother dies, whose heart loves you...whose heart do you love...can you love someone that is gone: or is that "former" love? Love is eternal. Right?
So Holly picks up these pieces for Aidan, and for Owen, and she has picked up the pieces of my life and made a life of it so beautiful, beyond my words or comprehension. Holly picks up a family wronged by death as well as Jesus picks up the Cross of the World.
When a story is human and wrecked the hurt is all too human and gets buried and becomes unapproachable. But the life you create in the midst of pain becomes a garden. Aidan and Owen stepbrothers to Tyler. Juliana half sister to Aidan Owen and Tyler. Holly Mother to all. I'm the grateful dad. We are a family.
So I get ready for another day of work, and I wave goodbye to Holly on the treadmill. Owen plays his video games, as Holly keeps running and training. Outside Aidan says goodbye, as Holly runs down the driveway and down the road. Holly runs as Amy smiles. Holly runs past Amy waving her on from the side of the road. Holly runs with Amy on her back. Holly runs with Amy's children, now her own, in her hands. Holly runs with my heart in her heart. Amy yells down and whispers in her ear as she runs: way to go Holly...way to go...and thank you for running for my life...
If you can support her in anyway it is always appreciated: Holly is running for the Cure!!!
http://northjersey.info-komen.org/site/TR/Events?px=11039206&pg=personal&fr_id=3936&s_subsrc=bfstream&s_src=boundlessfundraising
In Memoriam: Amy B Donaldson 2/8/1976 - 6/8/2007
