Dear Mimi,
Merry Christmas and happy (late) birthday! I love and miss you so much!
This year has been crazy! In March, I won middle school track state in the distance of 3200 meters. I remember right before the race I prayed that you would watch over me. I know you were there with me! Swimming has gone really well too! I keep training hard and trying to improve my times. I won state again in swimming in the 50 yard backstroke. I got second in the 100 yard freestyle. In January, I played in the Georgia District Honor Band where I was first chair trumpet. (We had to audition for the band in December.) I even had a solo!
Mom and I went to New York in March with the Schwab family! It was a great experience, but I can for sure say that I would not like to live there! For spring break, my family went snow skiing in Colorado. Poppy came with us, but he decided not to ski. However, I know he had fun, and he was also able to visit a few friends who lived there!
I finished my final middle school band concert in May by conduction a piece! I was chosen by my classmates to be the student conductor! I was very honored to have been given the opportunity! Also, I receive the Conductors Award which is the highest award in our band program along with the Musicians Award. (which my best friend Jordan won!) The award is given to a well-rounded musician in the band who is a leader to classmates. Again, I was very honored and thankful to receive such an amazing award! To finish off 8th grade year, my school held a formal dance. It was so much fun! I wish you could have seen me dressed up. I wore some of your jewelry because it made me feel like a part of you was with me!
Now, Summer! I continued to train for swimming and running, but I also hung out with a lot of my friends! I was able to go on the middle school national parks trip! It was such a fun experience. We mostly went around San Fransisco and Yosemite. I also went to the beach with the Bartoletta family! We had a blast! However, my summer ended with a surgery. I had to get a (fake) bone put into my mouth right under my front teeth. When I was about 7 or 8, I was hit under my chin, and I chipped a front tooth. Over the years, the tooth died and created an abscess that ate away at my bone. Don't worry though because the surgery was successful! :)
School started, and I finally entered high school! It was easy to adjust to, and I loved every bit of it! Cross Country season did not go as well as I would have liked because I injured my knees. However, I still placed 7th in the state as a freshman. Again, I was thinking about you before, during, and after my race! High school swim season has begun, but the big meets are not until January and February! For band, I auditioned for the District Honor band. I was accepted, and I even get to audition for the Allstate band. (as a Freshman!!) The audition is in January! Next, I was invited to Colorado Springs to train at the Olympic Training center for the sport of Pentathlon. I was invited because of my swimming and running times. It was an honored and a great opportunity/experience! The rest of my family flew up once I finished training, and we went snow skiing! It was such a fun family trip! Lastly, I wanted to tell you that since I am in high school, at the end of every semester we find out our class ranking. I am 1st in my class as of right now. I know I need to continue to work hard to keep it that way, but I would never have been able to do it without you! You are such an inspiration and role model for me! Every day, I wake up to see a shelf in my room that is dedicated to you! It even has some of your ashes on it. It helps me know that you are always with me and watching over me!
Poppy is visiting with us right now for the holidays. I know he miss you so much. Thanksgiving and Christmas time are both very hard for him because of the date of your birth and passing. However, I know it helps when we are around him. He thinks about and talks to you everyday! Mimi, Poppy and I both love and miss you very much, but I know you are watching down on us from heaven! Thank you for always being with me! I can not wait for when I see you again!
Love,
Katherine