Well i am home and exhausted..heres a mini report of the weekend.
We left here Saturday around 10 and got to Massachusetts around 3. We were able to rest a bit before we met Greg and Brenda (alyssa's step-dad and mom) for dinner at Carrabas. We went out for dinner and drinks and it was just so nice seeing them and visiting. Brenda b rought pictures from the Today Show and we talked about the cd dedication and the bandana that Adam Levine had. It was just a nice dinner. After, we all went to their house. This is when i started to feel a bit emotional. There are pictures everywhere, but in the office, they have a wall full of Alyssa pictures--its so sweet and i just got a bit choked up--as there is also a poem she wrote right before she died. I knew it was going to be a bit emotional , so i didnt break down or anything, but definitely teared up.
We then went out by the pool and my brother and his girlfriend went in. THe rest of us were just sitting and talking. The guys decide (at 9pm) that they need to get bike shorts for the ride today so the three of them left to go to the store...That left my mom, me, Brenda, and Christina (joes gf). We sat in the pool and told stories about Alyssa, sicne Christina had never met her. It was really sweet and touching and sad, all at the same time. The funny thing was we were listening to the radio and as we were talking about Alyssa, "She will be loved" was played--so we all got teary and said Alyssa was there.
When the guys got back, we decided to go watch the Alyssa video, since CHristina had never seen it.. This is a video that was played at her funeral-Not sure if i told you guys about it. But a couple members of Maroon 5 came to visit her a week or so before she passed away and its a series of pictures of that visit. At the end, its a video them singing "her song" to her. So sweet and brings me to tears every time.
After that, we headed back to the hotel and my dad and i went out to grab a drink..Then it was back to the hotel to relax and sleep.
Today, we were up and out of the hotel by 9..We picked up Brenda and Alyssas sister and then went to the college were the ride began. Alyssas stepdad was doing the 50 mile ride, my brother was doing the 25, and her mom and sister were doing the 10 mile. We got there, registered, took pictures (which ill share later tonight), and my brother lined up to go (the 50 and 100 mile riders left earlier). The "founder" of the kride came up to talk--his daughter died of cancer and he started this to raise money for cancer reserach. Then , the ribbon was cut by the family of a young girl that died 6 weeks after alyssa--this year, the ride was dedicated to her memory--very touching.
After Joe's group went, they got ready for the 10 mile and off they went. While everyone was riding, we walekd around and visited with Alyssa's family members that were not riding. They have a board that is entitled "I ride for...." The riders and everyone go and write a note.. I got all teary when i read my brothers-he wrote "Alyssa, not a day goes by that i dont miss you. Please push me up these hills!" It was always the joke that he couldnt do this alone and lyss had to help him..it was very nice. We cheered on the bikers but we all had a favorite! The youngest rider ever was a 4 year old boy that did the 10 mile..had gloves and glasses on and was ADORABLE. As he got to the end, we were cheering him on and his little legs just gave out and he fell...tried to get right back up , but the steering on his bike jammed so he was embarrased and was crying..we all clapped and someone fixed his bike--it was just so sweet.
Finally, all the bikers we were waiting for were done...it was raining so hard and we were FREEZING by this time!! My brother's girlfriend and i were in the rain the whole time waiting to get a picture of joe coming across the finish line. After we ate, we headed out since it took us almost 5 hours to get home
We were cold and freezing and wet but it was another amazing experience. im so glad we went and got to see her family again..very emotional, but i expected it.. I will share some pictures with you guys as soon as i get them uploaded. Im so proud of my brother for doing the ride and know it was hard for him . Thanks for letting me share with you!