Hello Family and friends, amazing to think we are already in February 2015. After my post about my Christmas and New Years, I realized I needed to do a recap of the year 2014. Actually after seeing my fellow blogging friend Teryn O'brien write on her blog about what 2014 meant to her, is when I wanted to do one for myself.
2014 was an interesting year. It was the first year in my young 25 year old life, (I turn 26 March 16th!) that my dad was not in my life. Just a reminder, if you are new to my blog, my dad passed away April 28th, 2013. It's been hard to say the least. Over time, day after day, I realize how much I miss him and how he was such a huge part of my families life. Sometimes, I even think to myself, how am I supposed to go on with my life without my dad being there. Even though, I have my mom, step-dad, grandmother, sister and so many other important people in my life (thank you to everyone who has and is an important part of my life) helping and giving me advice, I just want to be able to ask my dad.
Ever since my dad passed and especially this year, since it was a full year since he has been gone, my family has not experienced going to the hospital to see my dad. This may sound like an odd statement, but being without that in my life has been different. For fifteen years, with my dad having cancer three different times and then especially the last few years of his life, stemming from the bone marrow transplant, going to the hospital, became part of the routine. Now, I am not saying it was fun by any means, but it was such a big part of my life.
It's interesting now, because I have the opportunity to share with people my families story and be there for those that have been through a similar situation. I have the opportunity to share with people what my life is like without my dad being in it, and in turn reminding them to cherish the time they have with their loved ones and not take it for granted.
Even with my dad not being here anymore, God has blessed me with so much especially with my family. Before I get to my family, there are a few other things that 2014 showed me. I attended 5 weddings in 2014 (that's right 5), and it was great to be able to go to them and see my friends share their lives with each other. Early in 2014, I did date someone for a few months, but realized that I was not ready to be in a relationship, which is okay, because I still have healing to do and some more maturing to do.
I will write about my family in my next blog post, and stop here for right now. Just a brief update, is that February 10th-15th, my mom, sister and I will be going out to Pebble Beach, California. If my dad did not get to play Pebble Beach, then he wanted his ashes spread there. Please be thinking of my family and praying for us, because it will be a great trip with my family, but also emotional with what we are doing.
Also, please be praying for Teryn O'brien, who is mentioned earlier in this post. She has been battling Lymes Disease for quite some time and really needs prayer. She has been a great help to me as I continue on this blogging journey.
Teryn O'Brien's blog: http://www.terynobrien.com/
Thanks for reading and God Bless,
Patrick Mastrianni
