RTR (Roll Tide Roll for all of you non Bama fans)

What an experience. On November 9th, I boarded an airplane to Alabama, with no kids, to have the opportunity to go and watch an Alabama football game at Bryant Denny Stadium. Buddy's cousin Joe has been such a blessing in my life and has worked so hard to bring me whatever happiness he could since Buddy died. He is the one who bought the tickets and invited me to come along. He and his sweet, sweet wife Karen have opened their home to me and my family and have helped us create some amazing memories.  I am so grateful to him for that.  This past weekend is one I will not soon forget.

While I was there I got to meet some absolutely incredible people.  Some people who I hope will be in my life forever. Some people who have touched me and my heart, in ways they don't understand. I met one amazing woman who can relate so much with me and what I am going through. She gave me some great advice and I guarantee she has no idea how something she said brought me so much comfort. So thank you Elise, for saying things to me that have helped to heal my heart! You are an incredible woman and I love you so much already!

Joe and Hunter (Hunter is Joes best friend and has become a very dear friend to me over the past 3 months) know some people so they made it possible for me to meet some of the players! WOW!!! I was shaking with excitement! It was incredible!! I am still floating from the entire experience.

I am not sure what it is about Alabama but I can tell you this..I love it there. It feels like home to me. I don't quite understand it or know how to explain it but it just feels amazing to be there. It's not one thing in particular, at least not one thing I can put my finger on.  I will say that when I run there, a peace completely consumes me. I ache to have that peace. 

I was talking to Buddy's best friend last night and I was telling him that a few things have become clear to me..I have never liked running but I LOVE it now..I have always liked Alabama football but the past 4-5 years I have really started loving it and now, it is way past love..it is an obsession. It dawned on me a few days ago...running and Alabama football..those 2 things are Buddy through and through. I have engrossed myself with them because those 2 things were such a huge part of who he was. Running and Alabama football bring me comfort and joy in ways that nobody can understand.

I am so grateful for the happy events that have occured in my life recently. Things that never would have if Buddy were still here. I would trade every one of those moments to have Buddy back here and to just be in his arms but I can't do that. I don't understand why this is my life but it is and I am trying so hard to embrace that. God has put some amazing people in my life. I may not know why each of them is there or how long they will be there but I will love them with all that I am while they are because they can be gone...just..like...that.

So thank you to every single person who made this last, amazing weekend happen. Joe, Hunter, Shawn, Angela, Laurie, My brother Richard, and so many others. I don't know when I will get to go back..I do know that it will never be soon enough.

I know some of you may laugh at my, our families, obsession with Alabama football but as you laugh, keep in mind that it is so much of a lifeline to me right now. It's so much more than just "football" to me. So yes, I may scream and say things no good christian woman says and I may even cry when we lose but the joy that it brings me is indescribable!

Roll Tide Roll!!!