Looking Back….

In my last post I was attempting to find a way to overcome a creative block that has been bothering me for too long. A lot has happened in the past couple weeks that has really made me think about life in general, and start looking through old family photos.

Very early on Sunday morning March 15, 2009 my stepson, Tad Bagley who lived in Port St Lucie FL was killed in a car accident on his 44th birthday. The call I received was a total shock… notifying his brothers was even harder, especially with one in Iraq. Thankfully his wife Bonnie, who was injured in the crash, had non life threatening injuries and was released from the hospital after several days… very sore, but alive. My husband, Ken was to spend a week with Tad and Bonnie in FL while I was at a fiber artists retreat. Instead we were attending his funeral here in PA…. Tad loved the mountains up here.

A tragedy like this makes you think a lot…. Here are some photos and thoughts about the first "kid" to ever call me Mom. Tad was 18 when I married his dad, and called me Mom during a dance together at the reception. It felt odd having someone only 4 yrs younger than me calling me mom, but was great to feel accepted.

Tad’s Wedding W Marla, Ken, Sue

Here is a photo of us on Tad & Bonnie's wedding day, 19 years ago. They were married on our 5th anniversary. Marla, Ken's daughter is on the far left, with Ken and I on the right.

Tad, Ken, Aaron, Zack 1987

I love this photo of Tad with 2 of his little brothers. Marrying someone nearly 18 yrs older than myself, we had an interesting family. My guys still have a little trouble figuring it all out.

Here Zack is a pretty new baby, with Aaron not quite 2.

Tad & Aaron 1987

Tad sharing his shades with Aaron on his little bike. In later years, Tad would impress his little brothers with his motorcycles.

Boys W IJ Stunt Guys

This photo doesn't have Tad in it, but would not have been possible without him. He worked first as a stunt man for Disney World, then after injuring his knee worked with sets and lighting. He saved up his passes and made it possible for his  little brothers to visit. The first thing we did was to visit the Indiana Jones stunt show he worked on and the boys got to go behind the scenes after to meet the stuntmen they watched.

Ken & Boys Fishing

 

We did more than just visit Disney on that trip to FL. Here Ken, Aaron and Zack are fishing in a canal Tad took us to. It was a  fun afternoon for my guys with their big brother.

Zack & Tad w Fish

Here is one of the "big" catches of the day.

Nick & Tad W Fish

Somehow, Nick always seemed to catch the bigger fish. He still loves to fish anywhere he can. During that trip, Tad also took us on a canoe trip on a river where we saw an alligator, and Nick was scared the canoe would tip over.

5 Kids

Here is a family photo taken 6 years ago, at our son Aaron's wedding reception. From left to right- Zack, Nick, Marla, Aaron, Tad.

Family Group 2003- 1

This is the whole gang… almost. Missing was our granddaughter, Ally and Tad's wife Bonnie. Aaron's wife is by him, The tall guy beside Tad in the back is our grandson, Derek. He is 9 months older than our Nick. Marla is with her then husband, Eric, and their two little girls, Eva and Maia are in front.

Ally, Eva, Maia 3-2008

Here are the 3 granddaughters together a year ago. From L-R- Maia, Ally, Eva. The two little ones really have grown up!

Aaron, Zack, Nick 0309

This is a photo I never expected to be able to take for a long time…. my 3 guys together for the funeral in their uniforms. The military was so great, helping to get Nick and especially Zack home.

Family Pic 0309

Here is our little family group with baby Jenna added. After looking through old photos, I realize many that I wish I had taken in the past. It makes me think more about getting photos of family every chance I can. I also need to begin organizing those photos better so I can find them. I have only looked through about half of what is packed into a couple file drawers. 

The past weeks have made my creative block seem a pretty small thing in life. I need to continue to be thankful for all I have- My husband and my family, especially. Eventually, I will be able to create again….. The mountains here in PA that Tad always loved, seem to be calling…..

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I am a former textile artist and new pattern designer with a degree in horticulture, wishing to share my love of nature, flowers and gardens with everyone through my photos, sunprinted fabrics, and now pattern designs. Chronic Lyme Disease has caused major changes to the direction my life. I have to limit the amount of time spent digging in my gardens, and quilting has become more difficult. I discovered pattern design as a way to get art back into my life. I now use my gardens and photos to inspire designs that can be used on fabrics and print on demand items.