Vanguard University, where Drake works, has an annual staff picnic at a local park. They have a bounce house for the kids, a catered meal, and other festivities.
Last year the picnic was on May 17th. Judson jumped in the bounce house, ran across the lawn, tossed pine cones, chased ducks, climbed picnic tables, devoured the yummy food, and played with the pets that were present. It is our last specific memory of Judson’s body being whole-this picnic became a tangible marker, in our minds, for Jud’s onset of symptoms.
This year Vanguard’s picnic is today.
I won’t be attending…the associations are too painful.
