Thursday, March 17, 2011

Pernilla C.


Sometimes life deals you cards that cause a dynamic shift in your priorities, this week was one of them. My wife found out one of her oldest and dearest friends died in a house fire. This news came as a complete shock and has devistated my wife and several of their close friends. Luckily, Holly and her friends spent a weekend at a cabin in North Georgia with Pernilla at the end of January. They had a wonderful weekend full of joy & laughter; they will always have the memory of that weekend.

Rest in Peace - Pernilla C. 2/10/1978 - 3/12/2011



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We were to head to Savannah early Sunday morning to organize the memorial service; I had a 3 hour long run on the schedule. I knew I would need to get up extra early in order to get my miles in - otherwise there would be no long run last weekend. I got up at 4:30am (which felt like 3:30am due to Daylight Saving Time) and headed down to the river. Cochran Shoals is a very popular place to run in Atlanta; you will see hundreds of runners and walkers while out for a regular day. I was the only person there. It was so quiet & serene, just me - running in the dim light of my head lamp. I managed to complete 2 full loops on the 3.5 mile trail before I saw another person. I had a lot of time to reflect on the important people in my world and contemplate the direction of my life. I spent a few miles thinking about the times we spent with Nilla, I felt like she was running with me a one point - although she would have certainly fallen out of her chair laughing at me if I had asked her to go for a run! I am so grateful I had the time and ability to run those 19 miles before Holly & I headed to Savannah.

My wife is such an amazing woman, she was so strong in the organization of the memorial. At one point when we were alone, I asked her how she was doing. She said she was holding up okay. I mentioned to her that I thought she was amazing and was being a rock for her friends, that her taking the lead in this was really awesome. She just looked at me and said, "I have to - this is for Pernilla. She deserves it." One of our favorite quotes is, "You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have!" - Unknown

Please take the time to tell those most important that you love them, you will never know when you will no longer have a chance to tell them how you feel.

GS

17 comments:

KovasP said...

"Toughness is not how strong you are, but what you can endure." Condolences.

Turbo Photographs said...

:( so sad!!! Wow, that is so intense. Very sorry for the loss of a friend. That's just heartbreaking.

Glaven Q. Heisenberg said...

O my God, Thomas, I'm at a loss to say how sorry I am for you, your wife, Pernilla and her family and friends. I can only say what I always do under these circumstances: The happy memories will now be bittersweet because they'll be tinged with pain because your friend is gone; but remember everytime you feel that pain that it is telling you Nilla mattered and it hurts that she is gone because it should. Your world is different, your wife's world is different - diminished because your friend is gone. The pain is an appropriate reminder that she mattered to you. Don't be afraid to allow yourself to feel it.

Best to you and your family. My heartfelt condolences.

g

Kate Geisen said...

How terrible and sad. My condolences to you, your family, and all of her friends. I'm sure that part of your wife's strength comes from having you to lean on. Wishing you guys comfort and peace.

EricG said...

Very sorry for your loss. Thanks for sharing. I can appreciate the reflection in your run and will be sure to let those around me know how I feel. Peace EricG

ajh said...

You don't ever know. Glad they spent time together recently. Thinking of you all.

Pam @ herbieontherun.com said...

So very terribly tragic. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Psyche said...

You both are such wonderful people and I love both of you dearly. Thank you for turning this sad event into something so meaningful by reminding us all that you truly "never know".

Nitmos said...

Your wife is making a wonderful testament to her friend. That is terrific. Stay strong!

Al's CL Reviews said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. It's sounds like all of you were lucky to have each other in your lives.

My deepest condolences.

Aimee Bolender said...

From the heart and very articulate. The reminders are taken seriously.

joyRuN said...

I'm so sorry for Pernilla's family & friends - what a tragic loss.

I'm glad you were able to run with her for a little while that morning, & that your wife had your support throughout all this :(

Unknown said...

Such a sad day for everyone, but especially for people who were close to Pernilla like your wife. So good of you both to help with the arrangements.

Alan said...

Shocking. My thoughts are with you.

Petrah Persson said...

Your wife is one AMAZING woman. Her strength and love feels all the way to Sweden. I have never met her, but I do admire her for all that she has done for my little sister ♥

Wes said...

I always try to live like there is no tomorrow. My condolences to you and your wife on the loss of your friend. T'is not ours to reason why at the passing of one so young....

nice work slipping in the long run too. Cochran Shoals is a nice place to run. You can't get much flatter than that...

Kristin @NyceLife said...

I am so sorry for your loss, and truly taking your message to heart, thank you for that.