The Greatest Birthday Gifts
Happy Friday to you all! I hope September is looking like an amazing month for you, it’s going to be a great month for Courage!
I turned 38 on Wednesday. As a controversial magazine cover so elloquently put it: BFD. I hate birthdays, they are awful for me
Looking For Trouble With Betsy
because I never hear from my family and it’s a reminder of the loss of so much in my life. Don’t feel badly for me, I’m a big girl and can handle it, but September 1st is usually the day I become a sad little girl wallowing in self pity of what I don’t have. I don’t really post about my family here, but it’s pretty dysfunctional and painful to be a part of.
This year was very different. This year I woke to my sweet friend and current roommate’s surprise of putting up big signs and balloons. I worked my day job for a few hours and then was treated to dinner by another amazing friend, Pam, and her family. Her dad, Mike, even called me and sang happy birthday. My son called me without being told! 
I had incredible and amazing posts on my facebook pages, some that made me a little weepy. My new adopted mom Dawn always makes me feel like one of her family and was so sweet to me all day, even listend to me vent and rant about my never-talked-about family. My mom even called and left a message.
Being in California is…well…I don’t really know how to explain it. I came here for many reasons, not the least was to be in a place removed from my ‘regular’ life to get some things straight in my head. It’s been a year full of highs and lows, and overall the most amazing year of my life. The people I have in my life now, the thought of them just really blows my mind. I could never imagine what was going to happen when I first found my lump, I wouldn’t give all of the ups and downs up for anything.
But the emotional roller coaster has come at a price. I feel a little fragile emotionally, and the thought of the loss or distance of some of my dearest friends can make me weepy in a moment. I’m trying to find out who I am now, my life has changed so much, and to have these people that mean so much to me be so far away emotionally…ugh. How can I be so happy and so heartbroken at the same time? This weekend has been full of smiles and tears, and I guess that’s just the way my life goes these days.
An unexpected and incredible ‘gift’ I received on my birthday is definately noteworthy. Team Courage secured our first big sponsor. Bilstein is going to assist us with getting our truck race ready, and will be sending support to our race to assist in case of trouble at the race. This is amazing, and hopefully will open the door to more sponsorships.
Me, Betsy, and our Saving Grace
I also found out that NORRA (National Off Road Racing Association) will be making some changes to their allowable entries for the 2011 Mexican 1000 and my truck will now be able to race. I won’t be in the vehicle, I will continue to be a time control master for the event, but Brendan and Heather and possibly Betsy (if she’s not driving for someone else) will be driving the truck for the 3 day event. This is doubly wonderful, it will be the anniversary of my public pursuit of the dream of Team Courage. I can’t wait to see the reaction of my new race friends as they see our truck and how far we’ve come since last year.
So, I guess as my life usually flows, there is bitter and there is sweet as I start my journey through my next year of life. Although my heart is so sad with some of my recent losses, my life is wonderful and moving forward and I have so much to be thankful and happy for. I am a lucky lucky girl, and I am so thankful for all of you that have touched my life this year.
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