No... seriously... I didn't abandon the TR.
Just busy with home stuff and whatnot.
I expect to get to all the shout-outs starting...
probably, Saturday?
And I'll have an update on the fundraising
evening for Molly, too!
Just giving you a heads up. I know you've been busy and I want to give my readers time but I'm thinking that the next update may happen this Sunday. Update why will be on the TR, but I started a contest. Don't want you to miss out on the first round of questions so your time may be limited!
No... seriously... I didn't abandon the TR.
Just busy with home stuff and whatnot.
I expect to get to all the shout-outs starting...
probably, Saturday?
That was beautiful.
I can't even begin to tell you how confused I was in high school. I wanted to kill myself on multiple occasions, but I was just too afraid.
I didn't understand all the things going on in my head and it took at least another 15 or more years for them to work themselves out.
I'm glad I was a coward because I like to think I now have a pretty sweet life, even it has it's glitches sometimes.
I'm really sorry about Molly.
What a special night that must have been.
You wrote that beautifully.
We'll keep her in our thoughts and prayers.
High school can be very hard. I definitely was not in on the popular crowd and they do let you know it. My class had a young boy who committed suicide behind the fields. I remember he had a meeting with a guidance counselor and his dad about dropping out. He was so unhappy (kids were mean). His dad refused. A day later they found him.
You are absolutely right that they need more than one day devoted to mental health in high school. I think kids are so confused at that age and just trying to figure out who they are and who they want to be.
It sounds like you being there and supporting the cause truly meant a lot to Kay. Elle also wanted to be a part of it. What a beautiful young ladies you have raised!
I think I may be allergic to real life updates *sniff sniff*
It hits close to home for anyone with daughters.
So difficult that one moment in time can turn into such a lonely decision - I hope that Molly and her family have continued strength for the road ahead, with support from their friends and community. How wonderful that she has made such progress so far.
I just read your real life post about Molly and I'm struggling with what to say.
It's so sad that she felt that that was her only option. High school can be such a hard time (I remember some very hard times during my high school experience) and it's even harder for kids to remember it's only a small, small part, that they have their whole lives to find out who they are and what they want.
As a society we are so afraid of talking about mental health making it so much harder for people to express how they are feeling and get the help they need and then sadly, more times than it ever should, leading them to feel suicide is their only option.
I really, truly hope that Molly continues to recover and improve.
What a wonderful thing for her friend, the students and community did to support Molly and her family.
You really have raised two lovely, caring girls.
(p.s. I think this post gives you some MAJOR points towards getting that man card back.)
Wow what a story. I would have cried too.
Especially about the part where she seemed like such a happy girl and involved in so many things...so scary that it could happen to anyone and you don't expect it.
But what a wonderful community you have.
Thank you for sharing. What a powerful story.
We have so far to go when it comes to mental health, but it sounds like the young people at your daughter's school are headed in the right direction.
I'm so sorry that they could have lost a friend that day, and that Molly is making progress.
Thank you for sharing that story.
The teenage years can be so confusing and difficult. As time passes we forget what it can be like.
Stories like Molly's help to remind us of how some kids struggle. Something I always try to keep in mind while raising my girls, one of them in the midst of the teenage years.
How wonderful of Kay to participate in that cause.
You're lucky to have such a generous and responsible young lady.
As for the man card, you wear yours proudly, sir. You've earned it.
Man I should not have read your post at work - had to blame all those ninjas cutting onions nearby.
You and Ruby should be so proud of the wonderful young women you've raised.
Mental health unfortunately suffers when it comes to awareness and funding as it is not an illness with visible symptoms.
Thankfully it appears that governments and other organisations are starting to spread the message that mental health is as important to take care of as your physical health.
We've experienced a lot of suicide in our family recently.
Well my brother has. He is 24 years old and in the past 18 months he has had not one, not two, but five school friends commit suicide. Out of a class of 140.
It's so hard to think what would make five young men in the prime of their lives think they have nothing left worth living for.
And that is the problem - people struggle to understand mental illness if they've never experienced it personally.
So I thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing your story @pkondz.
Such a trajedy.
So sad to hear when a young person can't understand that life is full of seasons and can't see they can get help.
Wow, the kids really put togetherawonderful event.
You are very proud, I'm sure. I know lots of others were crying, too.
Wow! Thanks for sharing. That is all.
What an amazingly heartwarming outcome of friends and fellow students rallying together for a fellow classmate! (*tears*)
it's great to hear that Molly is continuing to progress the way she is!
it's scary for anyone with children or siblings : really anyone..
I've had to deal with more suicides (friends/classmates) than I have thought I would already in my lifetime.
One still on my mind all the time as no one had any idea how sad/unhappy he was feeling or that he would commit suide. No alarms/warning signs.
Being someone with my own demons of anxiety and ppd, it's not an easy subject, let alone something someone thinks they can talk about.
You (and Ruby) are raising some wonderful young ladies!!
I will get on that!
He said "we will see" haha! I'll get him to agree, eventually.. I have a few years .
Well, see ya later.
Just kidding, of course. Things can't always be fun and games.
And me missing out on the Darth Vader scene.
Oh man. I can't even imagine getting a message like that. Or perhaps I don't want to.
So sad and horrible.
Like you said...there are no words. None.
Thank God! That must be so painful and difficult.
It sounds just amazing. Heartfelt, selfless, and profound.
Not at stake here.
Pkondz, this was beautifully written. Well said. Thanks for telling the story. Sometimes the brightest lights come from the darkest times.
Wow, so sad that anyone, especially a young person, feels they have no other options
Glad that she was unsuccessful in her attempt and she is responding to treatment.
Beautiful girl
What a great night, so awesome that the kids come together to make it happen
So sad, and uplifting, at the same time.
I hope she can make a full recovery, and come out the other side.
Proud of your kids, too.
You sir are one of the best virtual people I have ever met.
Actually you are one of the best virtual or in person I have ever met.
That story needs to be seen by everyone that has kids.
Thanks for taking the time to share, I know that I will reflect a little longer on these types of issues in the future, and hug all three of my daughters tonight a little longer.
Thanks for sharing.
That was a very well written and touching story. Thank you for sharing.
It really is a sad situation, but it is great to see all the other kids rallying behind her and trying to make something positive from all of it.
And I'm with Mark... no worry about a man card here.
If a young girl struggling for her life and watching her peers pay tribute to her doesn't get to you, I don't know what will.
I'm imagining how much fun Chromosome would've had if he was there since the hotel, enjoying the ride
Haha! I totally stole this answer from other comments.
Also, please don't deduct my stolen points.
Cool!
You can't!
WOWEEEEEEEEE in Maui
I've driven through the Alps before... TERRIFYING.
Some seriously amazing views, alongside seriously dangerous road... I'm surprised more people don't get distracted umming and ahhing and plummet off the road and down the mountains.
Oh my LIFE how big is that???? I need something for scale.
You DID NOT get banana bread without inviting me...
Dammit!
So cool!!! I actually think I've been to a black sand beach, maybe in Lanzarote (Canary Islands). I need now that I'm old enough to appreciate it more
This picture is literally what I imagine when I think of Hawaii, even down to the surfboards
It SO was.
the ultimate scam. I'm going to start a business by placing a sign at the top of my road saying "SACRED ROAD", and collect my millions.
I was just thinking, Hawaii is so green
They're so cute!
Also, I only just saw this one!
About that green....
BECAUSE IT WAS RUNNING... erm.. RUNNING... ... ... ... Ah screw it that's all I got. Because it was running.
Hahahahah oh god no!
You sound like a fun family
Or she's your soulmate.
WHY?
Wow! I love this.
This one was much easier
That looks so good!
1. Volcano!
2. Shrimp!
3. Two!
4. YES!
5. YES!
6. Krispy Kreme!
7. You!
8. Ruby!
9. Late by 30 mins!
10. Go to work!
Just read your real life update, how heartbreaking.
Cherish your family every day pkondzi, I know you do anyway
And as for the man card - crying definitely ADDS to the man card.
Truly caring about something enough to cry deserves everyone's respect. No one likes a robot
Beautifully written Ponzi.
If that doesn't get you your man card back I don't know what will.
Thanks for taking the time to share that with us, as sometimes it's easy to forget what struggles others are going through as we live our day to day lives.
You're a pretty awesome dude
You're the only person on the Dis who can make me cry
That is so beautiful that the students and community all came together to show their support for Molly.
I hope she was able to feel love!
A beautiful tribute from a beautiful soul.
I will need to time to re-read and mull over what is there... for now, thank you from sharing from a deep place in your heart.
Whew! I've got some catching up to do!
I'm the same way! I also won't do laundry unless absolutely nessicary.
Yeah, this has always been on DHs bucket list but after reading your report about it I looked at him and told him that would NEVER happen with me.
Could be both.
All that hype and traffic and there isn't anything there?
I can't quite remember what I was supposed to be weighing in on but I'll go with Sure I'm sure it was worth it for the experience.
to get to the other side.
As you should!
A very Hawaiian named place to stop.
go beach exploring
spam musubi and or shave ice
4
the shave ice place
kay
you
late 1hour
laundry
not as behind as I've gotten! I mean I've been trying to give you time to catch up on the other trs
We get it. We really do. Activity both at home and spare time seem to go in waves and cycles.
Don't worry about a constant presence; we'll be here to keep you company when you're back. Everyone understands real life happens too.
De-lurking.
I've been skimming
(except for the Molly report- that one I read all the way through. What a heartbreaker.)
I've forced myself to poke myself up out of the rabbit hole I've been sucked into ever since I got back from visiting my folks in Florida. See, my mother asked me to look into her mother's genealogy since her mother emigrated from French Canadia back in the 1920's/ 1930's and never looked back - anglicized her name and never talked about her life as a child. She was an American now!
Anyone out there who has done any genealogy research knows that it can get all-consuming.
And those French-Canadian families had TONS of kids!
(Must be the cold weather).
AND I don't speak French-Canadian! Waaaaah!
But I've learned a lot and I've stopped calling my mother every 5 minutes to report something new.
I'm going to put together a binder of everything I've found, hopefully soon.
I did find out what a brutal life my grandmother had in New Brunswick and even though her life in Boston was tough, it wasn't ANYTHING like what she went through as a child.
Back on topic. I'll submit my guesses before the new update goes up:
1. One last excursion before we leave.
What is it? VOLCANO TOUR
2. What treat did we eat? (again) SHAVE ICE
3. Might as well keep the trend going...
How many beaches do we visit? 3
4. Did you see it? Of course you did.
It was obvious. If you didn't, don't wine.
Just go back and look.
Bonus points if you saw it. DON'T FLY PKONDZ AIRWAYS WITHOUT A BREATHYLIZER!
5. So you saw it. But did you see the other one?
More bonus points if you did. GO DONALD!
6. What place do we re-visit for a sugary snack? KRISPY KREME
7. Who gets picked for TSA pre-check? RUBY
8. Who gets patted down at security? PKONDZ
9. Our flight was not on time.
Early or late? How early or how late? LATE BY ONE HOUR
10. What do I unfortunately have to do
when we get home? SHOVEL SNOW
Gotta get these in even though I don't expect to win.
1. One last excursion before we leave.
What is it? VOLCANO
2. What treat did we eat? (again) SHAVE ICE
3. Might as well keep the trend going...
How many beaches do we visit? 1
4. Did you see it? Of course you did.
It was obvious. If you didn't, don't wine.
Just go back and look.
Bonus points if you saw it. Fly Ponzi
5. So you saw it. But did you see the other one?
More bonus points if you did. yes, Donald
6. What place do we re-visit for a sugary snack? KRISPY KREME
7. Who gets picked for TSA pre-check? RUBY
8. Who gets patted down at security? Ponzi
9. Our flight was not on time.
Early or late? How early or how late? Late by 15 minutes
10. What do I unfortunately have to do
when we get home? SHOVEL SNOW
OK, I don't think I ever changed my answers after I said I was going to.....
Changes are in Red.
Volcano (what the heck? You don't have to only enjoy it at sunrise!)
The shrimp
3
How drunk do they get when they drink the wine?
mentioned it above, But it was Donald.
Krispy Kreme, I hope I don't regret this one.
Kay
Elle
Late. 20 minutes.
Shovel snow.
Tears are healing. And cleansing. It's perfectly OK to show your humanness.
Our nephew committed suicide 6 years ago, by hanging himself. He was 20.
Community coming together helps. Tributes and shows of support helps.
Mental and emotional illness shouldn't be stigmatized, and maybe with a lot more compassion, like the beautiful show of it your daughters and their school mates have shown, just maybe it won't be a shameful issue anymore.
When someone feels like death is the only way out, my heart breaks, and my tears fall.
I'm so glad Molly has survived, and seems to be doing better....she has a mission to share, a mighty and important lesson to pass along.....
Blessings,
Dawn
Thanks! I knew I could count on you!!!
Thanks! Very kind of you!
They raised just over TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS.