Celebrating Life

Fountains outside Osteria del Circo

DAY 17: Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Today was a long day after three long nights. On Saturday, at the end of trick-or-treating, I took a phone call from home and learned about the tragic death of a family friend. Abbey Tsumas was 16, full of life, a beautiful soul, killed in a one-car accident on a rainy Friday night. Today, thousands of people in my hometown gathered at our church for her funeral, and thousands more, like me, watched online. Statesville High School broadcast the service into Mac Gray Auditorium so Abbey's classmates who couldn't attend could watch; Statesville Christian School did the same. It was an incredible tribute and made me so grateful to be a child of God, to have the opportunity to live this life, and to be in a position to help my children live their lives for God like Abbey did. My heart breaks for Abbey's parents and her two older sisters, both of whom I have adored since birth. Abbey was a source of joy for many, even if you only saw her smile once, and she will be deeply missed.

Abbey, in red, with friends

Funerals usually create somber days, but Abbey's funeral was a true celebration of life, and it gave us a reason to celebrate. I pulled out cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery, and the boys and I had a happy celebration of life, Abbey's and ours.

Tucker gingerly removes a pumpkin from the icing, demonstrating his ability to savor treats for a very, very, very long time.

Magnolia Bakery...still the cupcake capital of NYC

Tucker is reluctant to share, as Henry begs for a bite of his brother's cupcake. Tucker tends to savor treats, while Henry likes to work quickly, freeing up his hands for more.

With our celebration complete, we headed outside. For nearly two hours, we walked along Fifth and Sixth Avenues before meeting Wes after work. It was a relaxing stroll, and we ran into an old friend, reminding me just how small this world is and how interconnected we all are. When Wes joined us by the fountains outside Osteria del Circo, I let him take the boys back to our apartment while I trekked up to the Time Warner Center for an event with the cast of Glee. Unfortunately, a few thousand teenagers arrived before I did, so I left without a signed CD for my friend in NC, but at least I have a picture of the attempt!

Glee fans fight for a glimpse of cast members signing CDs