Jim is missed

The sun warms the earth and I think of Jim and how much he enjoyed a warm sunny day. I laugh about something funny and I know that he would have, too. I eat a cookie and I think of his passion for sweets. I awake in the night and know that he would have been awake at that time, too. So many memories, so quickly evaporating. I miss him.

The Jim Bowerman Scholarship

Julie and I attended the E. Lansing High School Convocation this evening where we had the wonderful opportunity to award a very special graduate with a check for $1,000 from the Jim Bowerman Memorial Fund. There were four applicants for this award and all were very deserving but this particular young lady was perfect....it was as if Jim had sent her to us. Below are the words spoken this evening:

It is a privilege to be here tonight, to present the Jim Bowerman Scholarship. This scholarship is named for my son, and for Julie's brother. Jim graduated from E. L. H. S. in 1999 – a decade ago, although it does seem like it was just yesterday. Jim passed away a year ago this past April, and that definitely feels like just yesterday. Jim was all about fun and adventure, friends and family, art and life. He was a free spirit with a gigantic heart and a tender soul. His senior quote fit him like a glove: from Mark Twain – “I never let my schooling get in the way of my education.” The criteria for this award was based solely on those attributes. The applicants for the Jim Bowerman Scholarship were very impressive and each of them qualified in their own way, but one individual, a young woman stood out, not only because she fit the criteria to a tee, but because of what she stated in her application letter….. “as a child I was a daydreamer and often wore unmatched clothes"…..that was so Jim. We would like to award this $1,000 Jim Bowerman Scholarship check to Miss Zoe Beaudry.

Today

I spent the day working first in the structure on a desk I am refinishing and then when the sun came out, I headed for the outdoors. I placed all the wonderful pieces given to me for Jim's garden out in the garden today. The reflection bench from friends at work, the metal red roses from Lisa and her mom, the butterfly gazing ball from Mary and Terry, the oversized shells from Laci, the blue plate flower from Theresa, the praying angel from the 50's girls, and all those pieces with precious sayings on them....all of that and more went into the garden.

The garden....it looks really nice. The french white lilac is blooming, the Miss Kim lilacs are budding and the Korean Spice plant from Anna & George smells so great right now. Every plant has survived the winter well and all are on their way to flowering.

Larry and I purchased a forsynthia bush last week and planted it today in memory of Jim....not in the memorial garden this time but up towards the woods, near the driveway.

All of these activities should have made me feel pretty good and for the most part they have, but for some reason I've been sad and weepy since I finished. For me, I hate it that I even have a memorial garden for someone I love so much. I miss you Jim.

Mother's Day

Mother's Day - those very words mean so much more to me then I think they ever did when my kids were little. I miss Jim so much and wish he could send me a card or make a phone call to tell me, "I love you, Mom." Julie and I were together today - spending time with Julie and the Grandkids fills me with joy and soothes my broken heart. I thank all of you who have sent special messages and called, it means alot to me that you think of me and share your love.

Joanne (Jim's MOM)

Weeping Cherry Tree Blooms in Jim's Garden

Friends from where I work gave me this beautiful weeping cherry for Jim's garden last year. The tree bloomed last week, isn't it just lovely!

Joanne (Jim's MOM)

A Day of Remembrance - April 11, 2009

Many of Jim's friends either contacted me or dropped by on the anniversary of Jim's death, April 11, to let me know how much they love Jim and miss him. We had a beautiful weather day - just as Jim would have liked. Jim's girlfriend, Angie, came from Las Vegas and spent a long weekend with me. It was wonderful to have Angie here. Jim's first girlfriend from high school days, Lisa, stopped by with her mom as well. The high school buddies - Zach, Will, Chris, Tony, and Tim were here....no place else they would rather be then with Julie and me..... Pictures were pulled out and stories were told. We lovingly placed the multitude of beautiful garden stepping stones in Jim's memorial garden. Thank you all who participated in this ceremony of remembrance. I so appreciate and love each person who stopped by, called or sent me a message on April 11.

A message from one of Jim's friends in Las Vegas

It's been a year and there hasn't been a day that passes by that Jim hasn't been in my thoughts. I hope everyday that you and your family find justice for Jim. I still remember the last conversation I had with Jim. Again it was like 3am, he was excited to tell me that he was planning on coming back to Vegas and wanted to get together. I told him sure we'll do lunch or something, I had to cut the conversation short, told him the baby had been keeping me up and I was tired. Little did I know this was the last time we'd talk. I miss him so much. I know this was a difficult month for you and your family I hope things are getting better. I have two little ones myself and could not imagine if I lost one of them. I check the website regularly hoping to see that there has been a development in the case. I read all the comments and have found comfort in knowing how much people loved him and have gotten to know him even more through the stories that all his friends and family have shared. I am grateful for the privilege to have known him, shared moments with him and to have had the chance to call him my friend. Mylah