Dear Friends and Family,
March proved to be a trying month for my family and me. Our dear friend, Jean Snover, passed away on March 25th after an 18 year battle with Parkinson's Disease. (See blog entry for pics:
In Rememberance) During the last month of her life, my family in Minnesota and her close friends and family, were able to be by her bedside as she suffered from various infections that typically are the cause of death in those afflicted with the disease. It was difficult to be away in New York during this time, because I would have given a lot to see Jean alive one more time. However, I was able to speak with her on the phone and say my good byes, and I came home for the wake and funeral which took place on March 28th and 31st respectively. I was shocked during her wake, when I actually enjoyed myself due to the fun and loving nature of her sons, Marc, Eric and Jon, and their girlfriends Jamie, Katie and Katie. Jean truly lives on in those boys, and they are sensitive souls because of their experiences and will some day make great husbands, perhaps to the girls we spent time with that weekend. Attached are some pictures of the good time we had together.
The same weekend that we remembered Jean's life, we were celebrating a step in the lives of Erin and Steve, as they moved into their new house in Vadnais Heights, Minnesota. The split level, 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom house is adorable and perfect for them. And I think Erin and Steve can finally settle down in the state now that they have their own place.
It has been mostly routine for Scott and I this month other than my trip home at the end. I have been struggling to work full time and complete my last prerequisite for nursing school (Anatomy and Physiology II), something that I don't feel should be so difficult considering my schedule last semester (Micro and Chemistry). And Scott has been preparing for his 2 showcases for agents and casting directors which are in April (in NY) and May (in LA). We have also been looking to get a new apartment. (A 1-bedroom…THANK GOD). We are being reviewed by the co-op board of an apartment on 158th and Riverside Drive and are keeping our fingers crossed because the space is great and it is less than 10 blocks from Columbia's Medical Campus. Wedding plans have been mostly at a standstill other than visiting one terribly cramped boutique in Plymouth, Minnesota during my trip home. I could barely fit into the dressingroom, let alone get into some of the dresses. It was basically a wash. I however do have all my bridesmaids in place and Scott is working on those groomsman. More to come on that as the date gets closer.
Hope everyone is enjoying Spring…even though it's a bit of a slow arrival this year (it snowed all day on the date of Jean's funeral. I thought my flight was going to be cancelled but instead it was just delayed for 2 hours while we awaited the arrival of apx 30 adolescent Canadian Art School students who all sat in my cabin and annoyed me the entire way to NY.) Looking forward to the end of this semester and this job which has proved to me that most psychiatrists are actually in need of psychiatrist treatment themselves. Love to all and please keep Jean and her family in your thoughts and prayers. Love,
Lauren
