Bompy

A year ago today I lost one of the greatest men I have known.
Growing up my Bomp was always there for me making sure I had the lessons I needed and always being such a great example to me. I spent almost every weekend with him and my grandma. He was always helping others and would often bring me with him when he delivered food boxes to the elderly and so many of the other things he did.

He loved my girls, and they loved him. Brianna called him My Bompy when she was little. We spent many afternoons at Liberty Park where he would tell us about the trees or stories from when he and my Grandma were raising their family.

Bomp, Bri and my Mom at Liberty Park.

Bomp and Atticus ( he called him Butch)

When Carly was a baby Bomp fell and broke his arm. He needed help , so I would drive up town several times a week to make sure he got lunch and was okay. This became a habit and we spent many afternoons over the next few years having lunch with Bomp. I'm so grateful for the time I had with him and I hope that my girls will have some memory of him. Sometimes when Carly is having a rough day and I ask her what is wrong she will tell me that she is sad about Bompy, and Brianna told us soon after he died that we should think about him ever Sunday, and we have done this, often telling Bompy stories during dinner.

The last time I saw my Bomp was on Mothers day. As we were saying goodbye he told me that I needed to see a doctor and get my weight under control. Bompy was always very concerned about my health and how my weight was affecting it and I didn't always appreciate his concern. He had lived with diabetes most of his life and taught classes at the Senior center on how to manage it. The day after Mother's day as he walked home from the Senior center, he had a massive stroke. I rushed to the hospital as did the rest of my family to be by his side. He was in a coma and could not speak but I was able to tell him how much I loved him and promised him I would do as he asked.

Soon after his passing I began the very long journey of losing weight. It has been very slow going but as of today I have lost 45 lbs. People keep asking how I'm doing it and the answer is the same boring answer. I've cut my portion sizes, cut down on sweets and I don't eat in the evenings. I also have started exercising. I've never had a problem with my appearance and in many ways my extra weight was a shield. I could tell a lot about people by how they treated me. I never thought that I was an emotional eater but food was my reward. If I had a bad day I would reward myself with chocolate. I also ate when I was bored, so I have taken up sudoku and I often quilt in the evenings to keep my mind of wanting to eat. But the most important thing is that I was just ready.

It my not look like I have lost that much weight but I sure can tell. My feet no longer hurt and my heartburn is almost gone. Every time I pick up Carly and think how heavy she is getting I realize the she weights less than the amount of weight I have currently lost. I have so much more energy. This past weekend I participated in my first 5K. I did the Race for the Cure and although breast cancer is a very important cause that has affected many people I know and love including my Grandma Faye who recently passed away and my good friend Jill Puriton, I ran this weekend for my Bompy. I know he would be proud of me for all I have done this past year, because I can feel him near me and know he is helping me along. I still have aways to go and know my weight is something I will have to battle with for the rest of my life, but I know it is a battle worth winning. So I will keep it up, for my Bomp, and for my sweet family.