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Finding Hidden Rainbows in Everyday Life

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You are here: Home / Archives for jenny

In the Land of Lollipops

May 15, 2020 By Melanie 1 Comment

In 1996 after my friend Jenny died, we placed a tall white wooden cross at the accident site. It was such a powerful healing moment. Not only did all of her friends come out to the site but  the first responders who had tended to her at the accident scene also joined us. The cross… [Read More]

10 Things My Best Friend’s Death Taught Me (20 Years Later)

May 14, 2016 By Melanie 1 Comment

Twenty years ago tonight, one of my very best friends was killed by a drunk driver. It was the single most life changing event that I had experienced in my brief 21 years on the planet and has continued to impact the trajectory of my life ever since. Her brilliant short life and her untimely death held many lessons… [Read More]

Remembering Jenny – Mondays Are Always Hard

May 14, 2015 By Melanie 1 Comment

Another year has passed. It doesn’t seem like it can be 19 years since our sweet Jenny went to heaven. Some days it feels like a blink. Some days it feels like being stranded on an island with no real way to get off. Some days there are little reminders like a double rainbow or… [Read More]

Remembering – 18 Years Later

May 14, 2014 By Melanie 1 Comment

There is something completely unbelievable in knowledge that 18 years have passed. Truthfully, this May 15th has kind of crept up on me. I wanted to write something that meaningful, fresh but I have been so wrapped up in the long a dreadful process of my Mom’s move to hospice  that I am just not sure I have… [Read More]

The Sun Still Shines – Remembering Jenny

May 15, 2013 By Melanie 1 Comment

May always brings about a variety of difficult emotions for me. Two years ago I wrote a series about the loss of my beautiful Jenny. Last year I wrote this piece and just couldn’t bring myself to hit publish. I am hoping that a year of distance from the bitter sweet and unexpected turn in… [Read More]

Missing the Sun

December 12, 2012 By Melanie 3 Comments

Today would be my sweet Jenny’s 38th birthday. It is hard to believe that it has been almost 17 years since she was killed by a drunk driver. Today my Facebook feed has been filled with love for her. Smiles, sunshine and joy. I can only wish, if I left this planet early, that my… [Read More]

Buzzed Driving IS Drunk Driving: Be Safe this Thanksgiving Weekend

November 26, 2011 By Melanie Leave a Comment

There are few topics in which I have a zero tolerance for and one of them is driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. There really is no safe amount of alcohol to consume and then drive a car. If you are old enough to order a beverage then you are also mature and responsible enough to… [Read More]

Come Monday: Don’t Drink & Drive

May 16, 2011 By Melanie 3 Comments

In honor and memory of  Jennifer Alison Sadow  December 11, 1974 – May 15, 1996 Please don’t drink and drive. Don’t let one more death. One more friend. One more daughter. One more sister. One more person. Leave this world at the hands of a drunk driver.   It is up to each of us to… [Read More]

Come Monday: The Hardest Part

May 15, 2011 By Melanie 1 Comment

Today is the day. The 15 year anniversary of that fateful Wednesday night when our eternally happy Jenny was taken from us from a drunk driver.  I have no interest in glorifying the crash but I do want to show how the unconditional love and friendship of one person can cause a ripple of love… [Read More]

Come Monday: The Days After

May 14, 2011 By Melanie Leave a Comment

The planed landed and every person stayed seated. It was a small plane, I had to walk outside to the stairs. Betsy & Chad met me in the hallway (yes, you could do that back then.) and I am pretty sure that she and I collapsed on the floor of that airport crying for a… [Read More]

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sunshinepraises

Chasing hidden rainbows and sprinkling #PixieDust 🧚‍♀️ about:
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💙💛#cheermom
🍊🏝#FloridaMom
#DisneyMom
#Adoption
#Newfie

We’ve also started Summer Swim Club! We have two We’ve also started Summer Swim Club! We have two signing coaches!
My little Z has a new sport! He’s learning track My little Z has a new sport! He’s learning track and field. Video is him running the 100m!
#deafkidscan #deafkidsrock
I’m kitten sittin’ this weekend and had a work I’m kitten sittin’ this weekend and had a work helper. Isn’t she the cutest?? 😝#kittensitten #kittenlove #hernameismeatball 😝
My BFFs and I made some crazy, stunning women! Pe My BFFs and I made some crazy, stunning women! 
Perks of living close to 95 is being a great place for a quick stretch and hug. 

Love these girls so much! #sunshinesisters ☀️
When your mama soul sister goes to Disney and spoi When your mama soul sister goes to Disney and spoils you with goodies!!! And feeds all your passions. #orangebird #squirrels #ILY #LunarNewYear
I am so proud of @islandcheerandtumbling Cheerabil I am so proud of @islandcheerandtumbling Cheerabilites Team Infinity! They are amazing and we had such a great time at @east_coast_championships in Jacksonville yesterday. This comp surely knows how to make their athletes feel special! Thank you ECC for being the best!
Happy 17th to the first one that called me mom! 🎂🎈🎉
Daytona STATE cheer weekend is over. It was a good Daytona STATE cheer weekend is over. It was a good competition but cold!
Little man passed 200 lines this week on his readi Little man passed 200 lines this week on his reading log. Reading at night is exhausting for his ADHD brain but we fight through. I’m so thankful for his TEAM at FSDB who work so hard with him. Deaf kids can read! #deafkidsrock #signlanguage #literacymatters #allthelanguage
When one of your besties is driving through and kn When one of your besties is driving through and knows you are right off the interstate, she plans 30 minutes for a hug and break! Two years is WAY to long to go without a visit! Thank you @southernsun74 for taking the time to love on me! 

See you in February!
My brain woke up at 4:30am - as I laid here, I tho My brain woke up at 4:30am - as I laid here, I thought about all the birthdays with you and all the ones that we have missed since you left us.

I’ve watched a lot of grief from the sidelines the past 6 months. I remember the days of counting Wednesdays then months, then years. And even though it’s been 26 years since we last celebrated your birthday, it feels like last year. 

There was no social media in 1996 but yet your smile and spirit continues to brighten lives. When people remember you, they do it with such love and joy. 

Oh my sweet Jenny - I miss your smile and your sunny outlook. I miss your goodness and light. 

Jenny and I bought these cute matching angels on our Christmas trip to the Galapagos. I haven’t thought of them in many years (I keep them stored away now after years of being in my car), but this morning as I sat in my grief they popped up in my mind. A broken wing, from a tragedy that still brings tears contrasted with the treasured moments of standing in a stall picking sweet matching angels for our Christmas gift to one another. 

Happy Birthday Sunshine ☀️
This kid is so stinking cute! #deafkidsrock #carse This kid is so stinking cute! #deafkidsrock #carselfies
Queen NoName is finally eat from a bowl? How do yo Queen NoName is finally eat from a bowl? How do you ask? Her kitten mousse is sprinkled with Lays Chips. #fedisbest #kittenstoo #bottlefedrescuekitty #sheloveschips
Lulu was blessed with a #tristynbaileystrong Boo 👻 bucket last week! She loves that someone chose her and sends a BIG thanks! With a day left to go…we prepped our own Boo bucket to drop off tonight. Hoping to continue to spread Tristyn’s beautiful light. #aquabowsforever #friendship #cheersisters 
—
As an adult who tragically lost her best friend 25 years ago and still loves to spread her smile around, it warms my heart to see how all of Tristyn’s friends keep her memory alive. 💗
Thank you @signingmomof2 for helping this ASL #sig Thank you @signingmomof2 for helping this ASL #signingstarbucks mug make its way to my home! 

Not only is this mug awesome because of it’s ASL features, it’s also amazing because it was designed by a Deaf Chinese artist who shares the same Chinese name as Lydia. (Yi)

Lydia and I got to talk about @yiillustration365days talent, watch some videos of her work and discuss how they share a name. 

Exposing Ly to cultural mirrors are a huge part of helping her develop a strong sense of self and being proud of her identity as a Deaf Chinese American. 

#transracialadoption #deaf #deafkidsrock #ASL #signlanguage #starbuckssigningstore #artist #Deafartist
She’s so stinking cute! #rescuedkitten #bottlef She’s so stinking cute!  #rescuedkitten #bottlefedbaby
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