As you can tell from my serious lack of blogging in 2014, writing has not been a high priority in my life. Family and travel have taken center stage.
B and I travelled to Paris for the first time in June and met our son Max and his friend Rob on the coast of Barritz. We LOVED Barritz and want to go back. Reminded us of La Jolla, CA.
Made our way to Bourdeaux to visit with my cousin Tom and met his lovely wife, Monique – not to mention, spend time at their beautiful, breath-taking Chateau Suau. Chateau Suau was established by Monique’s parents & passed on to Monique. Once Tom and Monique married, they became a great team, grew the vineyard, and have now sold Chateau Suau to new owners. They have purchased another lovely place about 15 minutes away and are in the midst of re-storing another stately chateau.
Barritz!
Chateau Suau – Tom and Monique Kenney
Returning home from such a beautiful trip was bitter sweet. It was not long before our family received terrible news – my husband’s beloved cousin Jeff, choose to take his own life, almost 2 weeks before Robin Williams did. In the same manner. No words can describe what it has been like to loose someone you love in this manner. I never thought suicide would be a part of our family dialog, and now it is.
Jeff and my husband were as close as brother’s can be. He was like a brother to me as well. I met him at B’s graduation from college when Jeff was probably 8 or 9. He lived with us for a time or two in Myrtle Beach when he was in law school. He was a loving “uncle” to all of our kids. He is the ‘Jeff’ in A House Interrupted. It was at his wedding to Kathy, that I finally listened to the universe, and my instinct, that something was terribly wrong in my marriage.
Jeff and Max
Jeff taking care of Brian @ Mammoth
Jeff mentored our son Max 2 summers ago allowing Max to learn the in’s and out’s of a private law practice. Jeff, Kathy, Brian and I did many trips together, always having a blast. We miss Jeff terribly and we are learning how to live with this huge hole in our family landscape. Jeff leaves behind his sister, brother, Mother, cousins, and countless friends that think about him and miss him every day.
Serious depression and utter hopelessness has never been a part of my life and I am so grateful for that. I can’t help thinking about the connection with depression, addiction and mental illness. What is diagnosed correctly and what is not?
Thanks for checking in and more to come about this issue.
Maurita