"Say what you have to say, and not what you ought."
~ Henry David Thoreau



Saturday, August 8, 2015

808

This morning my Facebook notifications popped up with a list of events that have happened on this day over the last several years. "Oh, yeah" I thought to myself.  "It's 8/08 today. Julie's day." As I scrolled through my memories a life milestone popped up. On this day six years ago I finished my first 1/2 marathon. What?! Until today, my mind hadn't connected the two dates. Today it finally clicked. I smiled and teared up a little thinking about the irony of it. I wonder if Julie picked that as the first race the three of us sisters would run together  because of the date? 


For those that don't know, Julie had a thing about the numbers 808. Many years ago, I think when she was in high school, she noticed that on a digital clock those numbers looked like the name BOB. Bob was her made up, mythical, perfect man. Some women talk about finding their prince or knight in shining armor. Julie talked about finding her Bob. It was a silly, inside joke, but one that became synonymous with Julie. Some people think finding pennies or other small coins in random places is a sign from people that have died letting them know they're okay and that they're sending a message of love. For everyone that knew and loved Julie those messages are in the numbers 808. Twice a day, there's a chance that I'll just happen to glance at a clock at exactly 8:08. When I do, I always think of Julie. Today she's everywhere. My mind is flooded with memories of her. I know I'm not alone. She'll be on the minds of many today. Maybe she's communicating with all of us or maybe it's just a made up sign in our heads that we use to comfort ourselves. It doesn't really matter. I'm just happy knowing today is her day--a day that her memory will be celebrated. This morning and later again tonight hundreds of people who were lucky enough to have Julie in their lives will look at the clock and we'll all be connected for a brief moment by her love. 
Team 8:08 - Race Against Suicide in Colorado Springs, September 2010


We did it! Georgetown to Idaho Springs 1/2 Marathon finish. August 8, 2009
Cooling off in the river the night before our race. We set the auto timer on my camera and
had to race across moss covered rocks in a rushing river to get to this spot.
It took about 10 tries to get this photo!
 
August 8, 2009 - At the start. I had absolutely no idea what I was in for.
Happy.
Julie - August 8, 2009




































3 comments:

  1. That's a wonderful thing to think of on August 8, every year. I love your post about how that synchronous timing worked to bring her home to you. Sending you all much love. :-)

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  2. Keicha, it makes me smile to think that you can discover the happiness, bittersweet as it may be, of remembering the most glorious of times that you and Julie spent together. I love those odd synchronicities, reminders from the universe of things that matter.

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  3. I had no idea that the race on on August 8 either. I'm so thankful you girls had this time together. How we all miss her for so many reasons.

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