This is My Forties

Photo taken by Rich Legg Right now there are hundreds of people honoring Trista. Right now her family is in the front row, feeling empty. Right now her friends are behind them, remembering her as best they can. Right now it's time to say goodbye and let go. The funeral has been going on for 40 minutes now. I hope someone got up and spoke about her and maybe even made everyone laugh. She was a joker and it would be a shame to spend an hour remembering her, not even laughing once. If not, though... I understand. When a light that bright goes out it's hard to remember what everything looked like before it turned dark. I can only imagine how hard it is, how many people are there... what the flowers look like. I know the flags of New Jersey were ordered to be flown at half mast today in honor of Trista. I imagine the whole town can feel the heaviness of this somber day. As painful as it must be to sit in that church and look at that box covered in an American flag, I really ...

I knew from the beginning that I wouldn't be able to go to Trista's funeral. It's necessary to say goodbye when someone dies. That's why we even have funerals. I didn't know how I was going to say goodbye to her until today. I go on her myspace like 20 or more times a day, but I never comment or leave her a message. I think I was avoiding it. I just didn't want to admit she was gone. Finally I sent her a message. I babbled on and on to her forever, still not wanting to actually say it... all I had to do was type "goodbye, Trista" and I couldn't do it. I finally did. I don't feel better. I feel... yeah I really don't know how I feel right now. I want to take my goodbye back and pretend she just hasn't been on Myspace since Sunday. At my grandmother's funeral back in April I had the same problem. I didn't want them to close her casket... I was still saying goodbye to her. I was still holding on to her image and I ju...

I felt a bit better today. I didn't cry nearly as much, most of the time I would remember her and just laugh and shake my head. Trista was definitely crazy haha. I hope all Trista's other friends and the Moretti's are feeling a little better today as well, recounting the endless hilarious tales I'm sure Trista was involved in. I plan to print out the posts about her and all the comments from everyone and send them to her family. I think they would love to see how many people will miss her. I'm going to wait a few more days so everyone can come say what they want. I might even wait until after the funeral, which hasn't been announced yet. This has been my personal blog for years now so excuse me while I catalog my boring life for awhile. I woke up early and actually took a shower, which made me feel better. I ate a decent breakfast. I've got my 7 month baby appointment tomorrow and I don't know how much crap I'm going to get about losing 2lb...

I've been overwhelmed by the press coverage and public outpouring of support for Trista's family and friends. The city of South Plainfield, NJ is displaying flags at half mast, lighting candles, posting signs... it's very touching and I know her family appreciates it. The Patriot Guard Riders are on standby to attend her funeral and give her a heroes send-off. I've gotten a lot of comments on here and although I was nervous about all the attention, I'm also glad to offer someplace for people to speak. It's unnerving to be "in the public eye" so to speak. I just keep reminding myself it's not ME it's TRISTA... and she deserves to be known and remembered and honored. I'm also glad to take the attention upon myself rather than allow it to fall on her family. Today was not any better than yesterday. First thing this morning I checked the news and there she was... a confirmed name and small DoD statement about how she passed. It was re...

I got a horrible phone call early this morning from someone I used to work with. A friend of mine, who was stationed in Iraq, was killed yesterday in her sleep when her trailer was hit. SGT Trista Moretti was an amazing person. She had an impact on so many lives in so many places. It's going to be tough for everyone (like me) who can't make it to Jersey to say goodbye. I've been crying off and on all damn day. It seems so unfair. I hate this war and don't agree with it, but I don't think she died in vain. She died for everyone else out there. They fight for each other, not a cause, not their government. That's what I miss about the Army. I miss my comrades. Trista was hilarious and beautiful and had this great Jersey accent. We used to play word games and gossip and eat lunch together every day. We would laugh all day long while we "worked" haha. I remember when she first got to the unit I told everyone some bitchy chick with an accent was in the...