Useless information…

by Mary Bonner | Feb 25, 2013 | Uncategorized | 10 comments

Having been at a loss for any inspirational posts for couple of weeks, I decided to share 50 random facts about me…if you wish to be truly bored, then keep reading!

I am 52
years old.
I have
been married 30 years in May 2013.
I have
one living child.
I have
one deceased child.
I have
3 brothers and 3 sisters.
My
parents are still living (90 & 91 in Feb. 2013)
I love
the ocean.
I love
the mountains of Colorado.
I love
the town of Breckenridge, Colorado.
I did
not finish college.
I do
not think I will ever go back to college.
I
worked for Weight Watchers for 16 years as a leader.
I lost
25 pounds more than 25 years ago.
Before
moving out east, I sold real estate.
I love
being outdoors.
I love
camping (as long as I have hot & cold running water, flush toilet and
a shower – all of which I have in my pop-up camper!)
I have
lived in 5 states.
I have
visited all but 6 of the 50 states.
I love
chocolate.
I love
to entertain.
I am
told I throw a great party.
I love
to cook.
I hate
to clean – but I do it anyway.
I play
the piano.
I can,
but don’t like to, play the organ.
I
sing.
I
accepted the Lord as my Savior when I was 18.
My dad
is a Baptist minister.
My 3
brothers are Baptist ministers.
I like
small dogs.
I am a
good friend.
I love
wine.
I love
pairing wine with food.
I have
way too much stemware!
I make
great (from scratch) brownies.
I
enjoy trying to stay fit and healthy.
I enjoy
short road races.
I would
like to go to Alaska.
I love
to find a bargain.
I have
too many handbags.
I have
a lot of shoes, but only wear a few pair.
I
cannot remember the last time I bought something that was not on sale.
I love
thrift stores.
I love
antique stores.
I love
spring.
I like
the summer in eastern Pennsylvania.
(Much cooler than St. Louis!)
I am
married to a wonderful husband and father.
I love
to get dressed up for a party.
One of
the best investments I ever made was my son’s Jesuit education.
I am
not a thrill seeker!

That brownie recipe can be found here. Check it out it is really easy and good. Clean-up tip: line your pan with foil and spray your foil with cooking spray. When your brownies are cool, lift the foil out of the pan! 🙂

How about sharing a random fact about yourself in the comments, please DO SHARE!

10 Comments

Dianne on February 25, 2013 at 4:48 pm

I loved finding out about you Mary–especially the piano playing and the singing–how awesome.

Random fact about me–I was homecoming queen in high school and in college but it was not a popularity contest–the basketball teams voted on it and I was a very loyal, fanatical basketball fan–still am!!
Reply
Katie Rose on February 25, 2013 at 4:53 pm

I love lists like these!!! And you read my mind – I was about to ask for the brownie recipe!! Good thing I kept reading! Can't wait to try them!
Reply
Dionne on February 25, 2013 at 11:33 pm

I love chocolate too! I am 38 and I have lived in 3 states, but I have moved around 30 times in my 38 years of life…sometimes more than once in a year! I make great southern food, but rarely do since it isn't healthy. I am currently into experimenting with more veggie recipes b/c I love eating whole foods that are not processed.
I love your post!
Reply
Nancy on February 26, 2013 at 2:29 am

My grandmother taught me to recite the alphabet backwards. It is my one and only party trick 🙂
Reply
Thoughts for the day on February 26, 2013 at 5:21 am

LOVED this, can you give me tips on weight watchers I need to lose 12 pounds.
I love wine too.
And I do cook with it too :o) when I remember!
You are funny.
Reply
Kathleen on February 26, 2013 at 6:54 pm

More, more….I got to #50 too quick! Loved reading them all. Random thing about me? I can't blow-dry my hair without wearing shoes.
Ps. #31 is very true and I'm glad you're one of mine!!
Reply
The Kat on February 26, 2013 at 7:33 pm

You have given some fascinating facts about yourself. This could be the start of a memoir of your life. Just reliving the past can be good insight into who you are and what matters most to you. I have been retired for five years and trying to write a book. I started out writing poetry which I still dabble in but now feel led to write fiction and weave a message of redemption of a your girl growing to adulthood. I am 68 years young and enjoy my two kitties who are inside cats and one outside tortoise shell cat. I was raised in Texas and migrated to California some 38 years ago. My 7 grandchildren are my delight and wish I lived closer to them. Thank you for this enjoyable entry.
Reply
Dolly @Soulstops on February 27, 2013 at 4:11 am

lovely getting to know you better…dark chocolate? I was born in California and I still live in California….have visited a few other states and places though 🙂
Reply
BARBIE on February 27, 2013 at 5:46 pm

I love reading random facts about people I love! And you've given me an idea to perhaps bring me out of my blog funk! Have a great day!
Reply
Tereasa on March 2, 2013 at 12:55 pm

So, now that I'm in PA, when can I come to one of your great parties?
Reply

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Meet Mary

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In what seemed like the blink of an eye, those young 20 somethings were married for 41 years.

The second photo was taken last year on our 40th anniversary. I didn`t post it because I didn`t like the way my legs looked. Something happened in the last year and I`m reminded that those legs have carried me for 62 years (when the photo was taken). Carried me through 3 pregnancies that gifted me with one living child, @coach_andy_bonner

The last photo was taken on Tuesday as we sat on the beach and a lady walked by and said, "would you like me to take your picture?" We said yes. Time with John is still one of my favorite things. He retired on Friday, before we left on Monday for this trip. There are so many unknowns but so much to be grateful for and so much to look forward to in the next stage.

I`m grateful for my clients that give me something to do every day Monday-Friday. @christiepurifoy @kriscamealy @bekah @whatlolalikes @abby_roadhome & to the wonderful team @parkermanagement-you guys all make my life so fun!

And I`m grateful for time at a place like this. Sand and water...not sure there is anything better!

Happy Anniversary Week to my love that is not on ANY social media channel!

May 9

Open

In what seemed like the blink of an eye, those young 20 somethings were married for 41 years.

The second photo was taken last year on our 40th anniversary. I didn't post it because I didn't like the way my legs looked. Something happened in the last year and I'm reminded that those legs have carried me for 62 years (when the photo was taken). Carried me through 3 pregnancies that gifted me with one living child, @coach_andy_bonner

The last photo was taken on Tuesday as we sat on the beach and a lady walked by and said, "would you like me to take your picture?" We said yes. Time with John is still one of my favorite things. He retired on Friday, before we left on Monday for this trip. There are so many unknowns but so much to be grateful for and so much to look forward to in the next stage.

I'm grateful for my clients that give me something to do every day Monday-Friday. @christiepurifoy @kriscamealy @bekah @whatlolalikes @abby_roadhome & to the wonderful team @parkermanagement-you guys all make my life so fun!

And I'm grateful for time at a place like this. Sand and water...not sure there is anything better!

Happy Anniversary Week to my love that is not on ANY social media channel!

She died 4 days after she was born. We buried her 4 days after she died.

Born 6-9-1992

Died 6-12-1992

Buried 6-16-1992

That would be 31 years ago today.

Last year, on the 30th anniversary of her birth we re-buried her on the grounds of St. Emma Monastery Greensburg, PA where her paternal grandparents are buried.

This year, today has been harder than Friday, June 9 the day she was born. Or Monday, June 12 the day she died.

I`ve cried more today than either of the other days.

I took a walk.

Got a pedicure.

Cried.

And chose a simple dinner of appetizers.

And I give myself permission to do nothing else.

I am thankful for the time we had her. For the experience and the things I learned about myself through the experience.

John and I are very conscious of what we say yes to and what we say no to. All because of Amy`s short life.

I`ve tried to use my experience to help others experiencing infant loss-or any loss. Some things are the same no matter the age of the deceased. Even if it is a loss thru miscarriage. I`ve experienced that too.

A loss is a loss.

Thank you to my sister and niece @sherrigd @tarahelise for letting us spend last weekend on your porch crying, laughing, and drinking wine and margaritas. I love you guys more than you know and I really needed that.

#infantloss #trisomy18 #stlouischildrenshospital #grief

Jun 16

Open

She died 4 days after she was born. We buried her 4 days after she died.

Born 6-9-1992

Died 6-12-1992

Buried 6-16-1992

That would be 31 years ago today.

Last year, on the 30th anniversary of her birth we re-buried her on the grounds of St. Emma Monastery Greensburg, PA where her paternal grandparents are buried.

This year, today has been harder than Friday, June 9 the day she was born. Or Monday, June 12 the day she died.

I've cried more today than either of the other days.

I took a walk.

Got a pedicure.

Cried.

And chose a simple dinner of appetizers.

And I give myself permission to do nothing else.

I am thankful for the time we had her. For the experience and the things I learned about myself through the experience.

John and I are very conscious of what we say yes to and what we say no to. All because of Amy's short life.

I've tried to use my experience to help others experiencing infant loss-or any loss. Some things are the same no matter the age of the deceased. Even if it is a loss thru miscarriage. I've experienced that too.

A loss is a loss.

Thank you to my sister and niece @sherrigd @tarahelise for letting us spend last weekend on your porch crying, laughing, and drinking wine and margaritas. I love you guys more than you know and I really needed that.

#infantloss #trisomy18 #stlouischildrenshospital #grief

In what seems like the blink of an eye, it is 31 years later. Not a day goes by that I do not think of her.

My heart still hurts.

I cry at random times.

And I miss her. Still. 31 years later.

I grieve all the things that didn`t happen.

The relationships.

The life events.

Strangely though there are fewer tears today. Sometimes I think my tears are all gone. The well is dry.

Lack of tears does not mean lack of grief. There is no right or wrong way to grieve. So I accept my emotions today-whatever they may be.

If you know someone that has experienced a loss, don`t be afraid to tell them you remember. Let them know you care. Take a meal, send a text, write and snail mail a card. We want to know our loss is not forgotten.

#infantloss #trisomy18 #stlouischildrenshospital #grief

Jun 9

Open

In what seems like the blink of an eye, it is 31 years later. Not a day goes by that I do not think of her.

My heart still hurts.

I cry at random times.

And I miss her. Still. 31 years later.

I grieve all the things that didn't happen.

The relationships.

The life events.

Strangely though there are fewer tears today. Sometimes I think my tears are all gone. The well is dry.

Lack of tears does not mean lack of grief. There is no right or wrong way to grieve. So I accept my emotions today-whatever they may be.

If you know someone that has experienced a loss, don't be afraid to tell them you remember. Let them know you care. Take a meal, send a text, write and snail mail a card. We want to know our loss is not forgotten.

#infantloss #trisomy18 #stlouischildrenshospital #grief

Today is Palm Sunday.

I cried in church. Not because I was thinking about the events leading up to the crucifixion but because there was a little girl of about 5 or so sitting in front of me. She had the most gorgeous dark hair. With streaks of gold running through it. Natural streaks. Not the artificial colored streaks I pay more than I`m willing to share to get every few months.

As I observed her I thought about my own daughter. The one that died at 4 days old.

I thought of how she might be standing next to me this morning or next Sunday on Easter. Maybe she would have travelled to Charlotte to spend some time with her dad and me.

Grief is something that robs us of so much. It robs me of not just my daughter but it robs me of being the mom of a daughter.

I look at some of my closest friends, all mothers of daughters and I envy, yes ENVY!, the relationships they all have with their daughters. They may not agree with them on all things or see eye-to-eye with them but the daughters lead the charge to throw surprise 60th birthday parties for their parents or make sure that mom gets a Mother`s Day card, a birthday card, etc.

I think daughters are different than sons. Daughters are more sensitive than sons based on my observations as an outsider. I do not experience that sensitivity.
And I grieve the fact that I am not the mother of a daughter.

The version of me before Amy`s death is totally different than the me that is here now.

If you want to read more about about my daughter, Amy, you can go to https://marybonner.net/?s=Amy and read more about my journey through infant loss and moving forward.

Adam McHugh`s book Blood From a Stone is a beautiful piece of writing about returning from the dead. I encourage you to check it out. You can find the book on Amazon or wherever books are sold. Find and follow him @adammchughwine You won`t be sorry.

"Grief is so agonizing not only because you have lost something, but you have lost someone, and that someone is the version of you that was alive before your loss."
Blood From a Stone
Adam McHugh
Page 102

Apr 2

Open

Today is Palm Sunday.

I cried in church. Not because I was thinking about the events leading up to the crucifixion but because there was a little girl of about 5 or so sitting in front of me. She had the most gorgeous dark hair. With streaks of gold running through it. Natural streaks. Not the artificial colored streaks I pay more than I'm willing to share to get every few months.

As I observed her I thought about my own daughter. The one that died at 4 days old.

I thought of how she might be standing next to me this morning or next Sunday on Easter. Maybe she would have travelled to Charlotte to spend some time with her dad and me.

Grief is something that robs us of so much. It robs me of not just my daughter but it robs me of being the mom of a daughter.

I look at some of my closest friends, all mothers of daughters and I envy, yes ENVY!, the relationships they all have with their daughters. They may not agree with them on all things or see eye-to-eye with them but the daughters lead the charge to throw surprise 60th birthday parties for their parents or make sure that mom gets a Mother's Day card, a birthday card, etc.

I think daughters are different than sons. Daughters are more sensitive than sons based on my observations as an outsider. I do not experience that sensitivity.
And I grieve the fact that I am not the mother of a daughter.

The version of me before Amy's death is totally different than the me that is here now.

If you want to read more about about my daughter, Amy, you can go to https://marybonner.net/?s=Amy and read more about my journey through infant loss and moving forward.

Adam McHugh's book Blood From a Stone is a beautiful piece of writing about returning from the dead. I encourage you to check it out. You can find the book on Amazon or wherever books are sold. Find and follow him @adammchughwine You won't be sorry.

"Grief is so agonizing not only because you have lost something, but you have lost someone, and that someone is the version of you that was alive before your loss."
Blood From a Stone
Adam McHugh
Page 102

@coach_andy_bonner made me a mom. His wife, Ashley, made me a mother-in-law. Happy Anniversary to them! 6 years and counting. Dad and I love you!

Aug 6

Open

@coach_andy_bonner made me a mom. His wife, Ashley, made me a mother-in-law. Happy Anniversary to them! 6 years and counting. Dad and I love you!

Every June I think I`m going to handle this better. Whatever better looks like - I don`t know. 30 years and I still cry at random times. And every June I fall apart.

She would have been 30 next week. Instead of whisking her off for a 30th birthday trip to Key West like we did for her brother @coach_andy_bonner or Niagara Falls like we did for his wife we will make another kind of trip.

There will be a mass next Saturday and we will stand at a grave site as we move her body from the small town where she was buried to a final resting place by her paternal grandparents on the beautiful grounds of St Emma Monastery in Greensburg, PA.

I look forward to the weekend and I dread it all at the same time.

Today I broke down and sobbed. Just like yesterday. And probably will tomorrow. But I remember that He catches my tears in a bottle Psalm 56:8

If I learned anything from
this life experience, it is this: I can do hard things. But not of my own strength. Philippians 4:13

And live to tell about.

Amy Elizabeth Bonner
Jun 9, 1992 - Jun 12, 1992

#infantloss #psalm56
#trisomy18 #philippians413 #childloss #infantlosssurvivor