This one year anniversary has sucked the life out of me today.  Lou and I have been going, going, going until today, and as usual the slowdown brought on severe sadness.  We have been talking about Ty nonstop today.  Moping around the house.  Wiping silent tears.  It always seems to hit us hardest when things are quiet (I guess that's why we so rarely quiet down in this busy, crazy, beautiful life).  I start cleaning and organizing and I come across so many of his things.  Like today, when I found his "guy" in a box of art supplies.  A silly little green alien that he once got as a prize after getting his blood work at the hospital.  He called the little green thing "my guy" and carried him around for weeks.  I am so fearful of the day when I clean out a closet or a toy chest and don't find his drawings, or stickers, or a toy he once loved.  Because those instances are becoming less and less one year...

This link will take you to the video that Lou shared with me on my birthday.  The best birthday gift of my life.  It is long, and so very painful for me to watch - but every time I watch it I smile more and cry less.  My beautiful, beautiful baby boy.  I feel like he is right next to me again.  http://youtu.be/8ABW_Zg_Kh8 One year has passed.  How did we survive 365 days without Ty?  I don't even know.  I honestly don't know!  Lou and I spent the day together, reflecting on our last day with Ty.  Reflecting on his last breaths and the time we spent with him afterward.  We are numb.  Even after a year, we are still in shock and disbelief that this happened to us.  More importantly, that this happened to him .  Our tattoos are bandaged up for now.  I will share them over the next few days.  I am so NOT a tattoo girl, this is my one and only, and I am surprised to say that I love it so very much.  The...

Thursday will be one year since the day Ty died.  I have been a fraction of myself for weeks.  I don't respond to so many kind and thoughtful messages because I am so just numb I have nothing to say.  I feel like a walking void.  The biggest problem I have with accepting this one year mark is the sheer impossibility of it all.  Despite the fact that I miss him profoundly with every second of every day - I am ever aware of his absence - at the same time I still don't fully believe he is gone.  As it approaches, this one year anniversary is shoving the painful reality down my throat.  It's real.  It really did happen.  He is never coming back.  I just lived an entire year without him here with me.  How can that be? This blog saves me sometimes because I internalize all of my emotions behind a public veil.  Writing like this at the end of the day gives me an opportunity to open the floo...

Pasted below is a very exciting announcement that was first posted to the St. Baldrick's website on Friday, Ty's birthday.  Coupled with our recent donation to fund a fellowship in support of the Children's Brain Tumor Project at Weill Cornell, this second alliance marks the beginning of many more research investments and similar announcements to come.  We are committed to funding the most innovative research, specifically geared toward the deadliest childhood cancers (including brain/spinal tumors, sarcomas and neuroblastoma).  Since 2005, St. Baldrick’s has awarded $103 million in grants – more than $25 million in 2012 alone. We now have the opportunity to co-fund grants with this terrific organization, minimizing our administrative costs and speeding up the selection process so we can get these much needed funds into the hands of the researchers without delay.  They have one of the most sophisticated Scientific Advisory Committees among all c...

Gavin wanted to make cupcakes tonight.  He's been asking for a while, so we finally did.  I realized he was not with us when we had our cupcake for Ty on his birthday, so Lou and I had Gavin sing to Ty and blow out a candle for him.  When it was time to make a wish, he said "I wish that Ty and me will fly on a flying pirate ship."  That was a great wish.  Made Lou and I smile at our sweet Gavin.  Here is the video on YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1tAF8PMSI4    

Yesterday was an incredibly long day, and we tried to find ways to celebrate Ty in every way. There is a park in Long Beach at the end of Magnolia Street.  It is right next to the boardwalk, and I took Ty and Gavin to play there almost every day when they were little.  Just before Ty passed away, we asked our friends in Long Beach to seek approval for us to place a statue of Ty in the park, and they did!  Just as we were beginning to plan this incredible tribute to Ty, Sandy rolled in and took the entire park with her.  It was devastating. Thanks to the incredible Long Beach community, they rallied together to win a grant for a new playground at Magnolia.  It was amazing to watch how the families and neighbors came together to rebuild this very special place.  Lou and I were able to begin planning again.  The new park was completed earlier this summer, and it is adorable.  The last of the construction, the ramp up to the bo...

Today is my birthday. Friday is Ty’s birthday.   He should be turning six years old.   On behalf of the Foundation, I am so grateful to my great friend Meghan for making THIS happen at theory in NYC J .    Ty’s birthday will be celebrated at the coolest store location in Manhattan – the Ganzevoort location.   Starting Thursday, the store is offering 10 percent off all purchases, and an additional 10 percent of all proceeds going to the TLC Foundation.   Such a simple way to contribute.   We are so happy to be teaming up with such a high-style brand.   Last week I also read books to the students at Wingdale and Dover Elementary Schools during their now-annual TLC Pajama Day Fundraiser.   I especially enjoyed reading “The Adventures of SuperTy and Gavin” because it gave me the opportunity to answer questions about Ty – the kids were all so curious and so caring.   We raised a lot of money for the cause, and we hope many other schoo...

He died on a beautiful fall afternoon, too.  I checked the weather this morning, and it looks like another seven straight days of perfection ahead. This weather has always been my absolute favorite, but of course now it leaves me ambushed with the sad, gut-wrenching memories of one year ago.  Thankfully, some of those memories of Ty's last days are incredibly beautiful and they keep me putting one foot in front of the other.  Whenever I recall Ty's unbreakable "smile of the day," I continue to be awestruck and inspired.  This was just 10 days before he passed away.  Fall in New York is so incredibly perfect.  The trees are enchanting, the crisp breeze fills my lungs with purity and the sun continues to warm my face.  Days like this prove to me that God is all around.  Ty, too.  Every falling leaf is a poetic reminder of our love and loss.  As much as I find myself smiling at my most favorite...

September is going to be sad.  It's as simple as that.  But I learned very early on in this grieving process that if I don't keep myself busy, I will fall apart.  So... busy we have been.  The first annual Mahopac "TYathlon" is tomorrow and we are so excited.  It is already a huge success raising well over $50,000 for childhood cancer research.  We have over 250 athletes registered.  I can't thank the entire team of volunteers enough.  They made this happen and I will be forever grateful.  In addition to the TYathlon, there is a team of wonderful women who are also fundraising for the foundation at the Warrior Dash tomorrow. Go team "warriors for muddy puddles!"  I will thinking of you all tomorrow with gratitude.  As I've mentioned time and time again since I started this blog, September is childhood cancer awareness month.  Something I did not know in September of 2009, but became all too familiar with in 2010. ...

Quick update on the big race next weekend.  The deadline to register is Friday and we hope you can join us for the triathlon (sprint) or the 5K by registering here .  If you don't wish to participate, but are nearby and willing to help out - please don't hesitate to email tyathlon@gmail.com ASAP.  We need several volunteers for the early bird shift (starting 5:30AM) and a few others to help out at the 5K starting 9AM.  I hope to see you there! I've said this before.  The worst days are those spent at home with nothing to do.  We normally live such an incredibly busy lifestyle.  We have plans every weekend!  However, with the TYathlon coming up in a week, we took it easy so Lou could train in the morning and I wanted to catch up on things around the house while spending some quiet time with Gavin.  What was I thinking? I did laundry and I cried when putting away some new school clothes in Gavin's closet.  The top row is lined with se...

After 9/11, missing person fliers covered every building, every lamppost, every parked car on my block for weeks to follow.  I lived one block East of the Armory, where families went to report missing loved ones. So, back-to-school is in full effect and tomorrow is 9/11.  God help me get through September.  Then, next week will mark the day we drove home for the last time from the hospital. Ty's very last time in a car as I stroked his hair, covered his t-shirt in tears  and held him in my arms in the back seat.  How I wish that hour-long car ride could have lasted forever.  Like, if we never get home to where he is supposed to die, then he would never die.  I was just telling Lou how I relish in the memories of Ty's scent.  His hair always smelled delicious, no matter how dirty and sticky from long stays in the hospital and sick spells.  Yet, Gavin can take one small lap around the house and end up with the stinkie...