Long Overdue!

So, I know it was over a month ago, actually almost two, but I wanted you all to know that I did it! I trained all summer, flew to Washington D.C. and ran the Army Ten Miler. Liz and I did the whole thing...without stopping. The big reason I ran the race in the first place was for TAPS, in honor of my brother. Liz said to me "Christian would be so proud" and that was it, I was committed. I couldn't turn back. My mom and I flew out on Thursday, at the crack of dawn, actually, before the crack of dawn. We had a lovely visit with the Minneapolis airport and on we flew to Reagan National Airport. My cousin Stephanie, who's family moved to DC just weeks before, picked us up and we headed out to see the new Hattix family home. It was beautiful! And, as always, Steph, Larry, Naomi, Laurel, and Isaiah were so welcoming. I miss having them in Wisconsin!

On Thursday, my mom, Stephanie, and I went out to Arlington National Cemetery to see Christian's headstone. This, this was a very strange experience. I wasn't sure what my reaction would be and I'm still unsure of what exactly I felt, but it was eerie, and surreal. To see the stone, with Christian's name on it made his death, somehow even more real, even more final, if that's even possible. The long rows of headstones, so evenly placed, and carefully kept each represented a life. Many of them given as young men in active duty, before what seems right. It was simultaneously heartbreaking and honoring. Hard and sad, but I'm glad I went.

As for the run, we were up bright and early for the walk to the Pentagon to join with over 25,000 other runners. It was exciting and energizing to run with so many people. The Star Spangled Banner was sung and as it was ending a formation of UH-60 Blackhawks flew over the crowd. I'm not sure if anyone who wasn't there remembers, but there was a Blackhawk flyover, exactly like that, at Christian's burial service at Arlington. To see the Army salute Christian like that and then salute a crowd of 25,000 runners the same way spoke volumes of Christian's service for our country.

The run went well, it took a bit longer than I'd hoped but my feet kept going the entire time. We had cheerleaders at Miles 4, 6, and 8, complete with signs and yelling and cameras. Looking forward to seeing my family along the route was such an encouragement! Lars (in his jeans), Ethan, and Laura joined us for the final two miles. That was awesome, because I really thought that Mile 9 was out to get me and Lars was such a great encouragement:) Liz got a little ahead when Lars started running with me (or maybe I got behind), but she waited and we found a burst of energy and finished fast and strong. People talk about a "runner's high" but I think that I had a high all day long, just from finishing:)

To all of you have supported me in this adventure...THANK YOU!

Later in the day we walked around downtown in DC and I needed help from Lars in another way...

Running Recap

The Army Ten-Miler is six days away, I thought you'd like to know how I went from zero to ten in one summer! Here is a recap of how my training went for the Army Ten-Miler. For those of you who follow the blog I've made a comment here and there about running and how its been going, but I thought a retrospective of the summer of running would be appropriate.

Over Memorial Day weekend my sister-in-law went to a conference in Washington DC that was run by and organization called TAPS, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors. Their purpose is to provide support, in any number of ways, to families who have lost a loved one in the military. Liz was impressed by their programs and when presented with the opportunity to run the Army Ten-MIler on the TAPS team she said yes. Then she called me. Somehow, probably because she said the phrase "Christian would be so proud" I agreed to run with her.

My first training run came end of May/beginning of June and I've been training ever since. I thought for sure I'd be able to run 2 miles with no problem...not so. I was sucking wind and my feet felt like lead and I thought my heart was going to explode. I stopped short of the two miles. Was I going to make it?!?

Thanks to the encouragement of many friends (thank you Jadon, Meg, Jess, Jen, Laura, Liz, Amy, and Mr. MacKay) I kept going. Each time I needed to add mileage I had a friend with me cheering me on. Any time I needed to add a mile I had someone with me to keep me going. I wanted to hit Jadon when he made me run up the hill to finish three miles. I thought four would be impossible at the Fire Cracker Four on July 4th, but Mr. MacKay stuck with me for the last mile and made encouraging comments all the while. I think Jess was with me for five miles, at the crack of dawn before it got hot...such a good friend. I made six when I went to the North Country to visit Liz and the Nordberg clan; that was a great run! I knew then that I would be able to make ten. Amy made me keep going and going and going when we did seven. Two weekends ago I jumped to nine. That was a hard run, but my mom and her cousin Meghan met me a little more than half way with water... so fun to have a little cheering section as I met them by the lake.

Those, along with countless other runs in between make me feel like I'm ready! I really do feel like Christian would be proud. To all of you who have asked me about how training was going and to those encouraged me along the way, a big hearty Thank You! One special thanks to Kristin Suidak, mom of Olivia who takes violin with me. She has been a great encouragement and source of information along the way. Plus a great mom, I love teaching Olivia!

One more shameless plug... If you are interested in supporting me in this run I have a page on the TAPS website where I am raising funds that will go directly to families who have lost a loved one in the military. Every donation is greatly appreciated! Hopefully the link below will work, otherwise you can just paste it into your address line. Thanks to all!

https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=273178&supid=223384751

Once Again... ARMY TEN-MILER

Just a reminder... its quickly approaching!

Dear Family and Friends,

On October 5, 2008 (less than three weeks) I will be running in support of our nation’s surviving military families by participating with the TAPS “2008 Run and Remember Team" in the Army Ten-Miler race.

The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) is a non-profit organization that reaches out to families and loved ones who have suffered the loss of a loved one in the Armed Forces.

TAPS provides on-going emotional help, hope, and healing to all Military surivors. They provide peer support services 24-hours a day, hold Survivor Seminars and Good Grief Camps for both adults and children to help them work through their grief. My sister-in-law was very impressed by what they had to offer and how they helped in the face of great loss. She asked me to run with her, so here I am.

This year, I will be running in memory of my brother, Captain Christian Philip Skoglund. Many of you knew Christian and to know him was to love him! He is missed every day. If you are able, please help me to honor his memory by supporting me in this race. Funds raised by this event flow directly into TAPS' programs which support the families of our brave men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for this great nation.

For more information on TAPS' programs, visit www.taps.org.

"Remember the Love, Celebrate the Life, Share the Journey."

Sincerely,

Maja Kay Skoglund

Here is the link to my TAPS page:



https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=273178&lis=1&kntae273178=AC358C0FCBB74BF1A2A94152E380F032&supId=223384751

Training Day

7 miles. All running. Booya.

Washington D.C. Here I come!

Christian would have been 32 today. I wish that I could sing Happy Birthday to him and then follow up with Underwater, Opera, Southern, and Football renditions of Happy Birthday for him. I'm not exactly sure what to do on a day like today, but (at the risk of sounding like a broken record) I miss him a whole lot and I wish he was here.

Mini Update

Its been a while, I know. I've been a little disconnected from the blogging world. So much has happened since I last wrote. I'm still running, I still don't love running, but gradually I'm adding miles and I think, that by October 5 I'll be able to run the Ten Miler. We'll see...I think both Liz and Rachael are ahead of me in their training. Even though the actual running isn't fantastic yet, it's getting better, and I really love how I'm feeling after my runs are done. I've found a few people who will do some running with me, so I stay relatively motivated. I should go six and a half miles this week...we'll see.

I ran the Firecracker Four on July 4 and then promptly headed home and got in a fender bender. Apparently being hit from behind is not always the other person's fault. The man who hit me talked the police officer into citing me for the accident that happened from behind me. Frustrating, but it probably was my fault. That is why we have insurance, right? All will be settled except I need to find a replacement for dear Hans, the Jetta that has faithfully gotten me to and fro for the past few years. He's drive-able for the time being, but I need a new car. If anyone has a lead on an economical little car, let me know!

What else? I bought a plane ticket to go and visit Elizabeth, the Nordberg's, and the North Country for a week in August. It will be great! I'm excited to see her new house and help with whatever 'projects' that need doing. Hopefully the weather will be nice and we'll get to do some water sports, that should be good. She just got all of her household goods from storage, where they have been since being packaged up in Italy. It will be nice to see some of the things that Christian and Liz shared, but tough at the same time, I'm sure. I really miss him, a lot.

More to come soon...I think. Stay posted!

ME?!?! RUNNING!?!?

My sister-in-law, Liz called me last Sunday and left me a message asking me to run the Army Ten-Miler in October. TEN MILES!! I've never even ran half of that, but somehow, I said yes. So, after registering for the run, buying new shoes, and going for a weeks worth of training runs (four of them, one every other day so far) I'm on my way to the big 1-0!

Everybody I've talked to says I'll be fine, and that I've got plenty of time to train...plenty! Still, I'm feeling the pressure of a deadline and I'm actually serious about doing this. I'm starting small, but every run is feeling easier for a longer time!

I'm running in memory of my brother on a team for an organization called TAPS. Liz went to a seminar they had in D.C. over Memorial Day and said that they are an excellent organization that help families who have lost loved ones in the military. If you're interested in knowing more about it just take a look at this link:

https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=273178&lis=1&kntae273178=D07D8D1349C942199E417032DB3C4F50&supId=223384751


When I finally agreed to do this Liz said "Christian would be so proud of us," and you know what? That made me smile! It really would, he would have been running right along side of us!

Memorial Day 2008

I have so many memories that have been playing through my head, and to start talking about them would be to never finish. Every day, I remember. To know him was to love him!

In light of today, Memorial Day 2008, I say in honor of my brother, Captain Christian Skoglund and to all who serve or have served in the military, thank you.

South Carolina and the Hope in Sun

I know this seems a little after the fact, but our family trip (unfortunately, minus Lars) to South Carolina was such a good time. Since then, I've been trying to brainstorm ideas for how to spend more time on the beach than working. So far the only plausible ideas are: a. winning the lottery, or, b. finding a long lost rich uncle. Neither of those things seem to be panning out so I guess I'll have to enjoy vacation for what it is, vacation. I keep trying to convince myself that living at the beach and spending my days sun-bathing, drinking iced coffee, shopping, and exercising would get boring. I guess I'm not very self convince-able.



After spending a week on the beach on Hilton Head Island and soaking the sun deep into my bones, I am ready for summer! It is the middle of May and I feel as if the temperatures should be on the upswing, but they seem to be hovering around coldish. However, we have had days and days of mostly sunny skies. The sun does great things to help me see and remember that God is still good, even and especially in the midst of hard. The sun reminds me that spring is coming and that spring brings new life and a reminder that He is in control of that life, whatever that may look like. This I know in my head, and I'm trying to let it sink into my heart and remember, even feel it at the core of who I am.

Every day, because of His grace.

Its been six months today. I miss him every day and I still wish it were different.

Mrs Nordberg wrote a beautiful entry today, it echoes so much of what I feel.

Take a look: margaretnordberg.blogspot.com

To Christian I still say - SEE YOU LATER!

Four More Sleeps!

Hilton Head here I come. I think I can hear it... Listen carefully... Wait... It's calling my name... Yup, I'm sure of it. The sun, sand, and sunscreen are all calling. "Maja, Maja, when are you coming?" To that I answer, just four more sleeps!

Warmer Times Ahead

Atlantic waters
Hilton Head beckons me come
Warm sandy beaches

Thank you kayak.com, thank you. Courtesy of the searching services of this wonderful website I will be on my way to Hilton Head, SC in less than two months. It seems like an eternity away, but I can't wait! By the end of April it will be oh, so warm! And while the weather will be warming up here, I will be in a bathing suit, lying on the beach, soaking up the sun.

Just two days ago our family purchased plane tickets to join the Nordberg family at the beach in South Carolina! Even the thought of the beach seems to lift my spirits! When the sun soaks deep in my bones I can feel myself unwind and relax. I know that I complain about the weather...a lot...but there is good news brewing on that front. I just heard on the radio that we should be feeling significantly warmer weather by the middle of next week.

My brother used to say that anything beyond 36 hours was pure speculation, but today I'm choosing to believe the meteorologists. My sanity depends on it.

A Long Case of the Mondays

The blog was just on hiatus for a wee bit, don't worry I'm still going to post. I think I had a very, very long case of the Monday's, otherwise known as February. I know that it is my birthday month and celebrating is always fun, but I've got to tell you all...I'm sick of the cold. I was talking with Liz the other day and we were both saying that we feel as if our only topic of conversation is how we wish that the weather would change, and yet it stays just as frigid as ever. I know that I really have nothing to complain about, seeing as I was able to go to the tropics in January, but here I am, complaining nonetheless.

I've been emailing back and forth with a friend who has become very dear to me in the past couple of months and I was thinking today when I received her message that I am truly blessed to have friends (and even people I don't know of) who have come up alongside of me over the past months. I am reminded by many people throughout my days and weeks that I am being remembered and prayed for in this hour of grief. To all who have sent an encouraging word or who have been holding us all up in prayer...from the bottom of my heart thank you. You are loved and appreciated by me.

I've been sad, I am sad and my insides hurt in a way that was completely foreign to me on November 7, 2007. This thing, this grief, has become my constant companion. It seems to have a personality and a mind and will all its own. Some days are good and there are good times with friends, laughing, fun stuff, but the underlying current of my emotions can just be draining.

Ehhh...after reading back over that it sounds pretty sad a depressing. I know there is still abundant good in my life that I have to be thankful for. I know this and I know that God is good and that he is holding me up with his everlasting arms. Praise the Lord for those strong arms of strength!

Blizzard of '08

I went to bed on Tuesday night happy because school was already called off for the next day! When I got up on Wednesday I was still thrilled at the unexpected day off, but unsure what all the hype was about. They said "snow emergency," but there was just a slushy mess outside. But the meteorologists were unwilling to go back on their predictions of 14-16 inches of the white stuff. They kept saying oh, it will start in earnest soon, soon, soon.

Sure enough around noon on Wednesday I looked out my window to a virtual white out. I couldn't see the apartment building across the street. Seriously, it was great. I hung out with my new roommie (and old one, once they let her out of work early) in our pajamas till nearly 2:30pm. I braved the elements like an arctic explorer to get to the local coffee shop with my neighbors Kira and Tiffany. Then, when the snow had lightened to a mere twinkle in the air we went outside to play!

I mean play! Sledding, snowball fights, face washes, tromping through thigh deep snow. It was one of those great times when everything else seems unimportant and friends and fun were all that mattered.

So, the branches above next to my head are usually a few feet above me. Crazy snow!

St. Kitts

Yes, yes, I know that it almost two weeks after the fact, but better late than never, right? I think so...

An haiku in honor of St. Kitts:

St. Kitts, small island
Jon's tropical paradise
Sunshine warms deeply

Ok, so maybe that was not my very best haiku, but it's been a while...I may be a bit rusty. I've got to say there is something wonderful about wearing a sundress with bare legs and arms on January 15. Liz and I made a leisurely start to each day, waking up between 9:00 and 10:00, throwing on a swimsuit, flipflops, and a coverup, and grabbing a coffee and croissant before making our way to the poolside lounge chairs. There we spent the next hours soaking the sun deep into our bones. I think, just maybe, there is something healing about sunshine. I felt warm all the way to the core!

Jon joined us as soon as his classes were finished and most days we went out and did something "island-y." There was a long walk down the beach on the Atlantic side, a drive out to North Friar's beach with Otis and Jon's vet school friends (along with all their dogs), a hike up the volcano, snorkeling in the Carribean, dinner at Jon's place, Wilbur the (very huge) pig, monkeys, goats, cows, VERY good food. It was a great trip that ended too quickly!

So Good

This is going to be a very short post...

St. Kitts with Liz and Jon was awe-some!

More to come later...maybe even pictures. Get excited!

Heading South Too!

St. Kitts here I come!

I am, oh so, very excited about joining Elizabeth and visiting Jon down, down, down south...where the weather is WARM, WARM, WARM! I know that the sun is very bad for me and for my skin, but I'm going to get all SPFed up and let the heat from the sun soak deep, deep, deep into my bones. It seems to me that it could be very therapeudic.

You know, I miss him. I think about him all the time. I see pictures of him and I am blown away by the fact that he isn't here anymore. In pictures he seems so alive, so present, so full of life. Even now, almost two months after the fact, I still have to talk myself into believing it. I loved, and truly still love, him so much. (So good to know that Christian is still Christian and I will know him again...and then forever!) Such a great big brother.

I taught a bunch of lessons today. I'm on my way to 'full time' again. I know its been a crazy long time to be away, but its been good to have the time off and concentrate on all that has happened. But now, it feels really good to see my students, to remember that this is something that I love to do and that I really care about each one of them.