Second Annual Jaidon Joseph Smith Scholarships Awarded
Last night we had the honor and pleasure of awarding the second two annual recipients for Jaidon’s Scholarship. This year Kyra, our oldest daughter took …
First Annual Jaidon Joseph Smith Scholarships Awarded
Tonight we had the honor and pleasure of awarding the first two annual recipients for Jaidon’s Scholarship. Troy was a Rockstar and was able to …
Support Us at the CORNER MARKET on May 14, 2022!
Show your Support on Saturday, May 14, 2022! The CORNER MARKET will be generously donating 20% of all sales to Jaidon’s scholarship fund! 8309 GRUBB …
The 2022 Scholarship Application is Open!
We are very excited to announce that the 2022 Jaidon Joseph Smith Educational Scholarship is officially open and accepting qualified applicants! The Jaidon Joseph Smith …
December 18, 2021
It is that time of year when everyone starts to check out. Teachers, kids, parents, colleagues, everyone. You would think that I would be excited …
December 9, 2021
It has been exactly six months since I have been able to breathe without having to actively tell myself to do so. Six months of …
December 9, 2021
Tonight is 6 months. 6 of the worst months of my life. One would think that, with time, some of the pain would be tolerable. …
December 6, 2021
The last two weeks literally took my breath away. When you are missing your child immensely already, having the holidays invade your grief makes everything …
November 24, 2021
Grab a blanket Curl up It’s what you have Don’t let go Why…why…why me Why does it have to be this way Squeeze that blanket …
November 24, 2021
I’m trying very hard to be thankful this week. I have amazing family, friends, and colleagues that have worked hard to keep me upright this …
November 16, 2021
This weekend we escaped our normal routine and spent the weekend alone in Baltimore. Our first weekend away in six months. It was nice to …
November 8, 2021
Tomorrow marks five months since our son was taken from us. The longest five months of my life. There are still times I am in …
November 8, 2021
I seem to be struggling with the concept of time lately, and although in the past I have always appreciated the extra hour daylight savings …
October 31, 2021
This week has been an emotional rollercoaster…. More so than usual. My team at work pulled off unimaginable feats and our event was a huge …
October 22, 2021
The last week or so has been extremely hard. Not that any of the past 19 weeks haven’t been, but the last week has been …
October 21, 2021
Staying in a hotel for a night to cut myself a break on the killer commute for work tonight sounded like such a good idea …
October 9, 2021
Today I woke up an absolute mess. Cried for hours in bed, lots more of them then I care to admit. A lot. Then, like …
October 7, 2021
About a year ago I came home from a long weekend at work and Troy and Jaidon had built a beautiful fire pit. Our whole …
October 3, 2021
“With every adversity comes the seed of an equivalent benefit.” Nine years ago today, was the second worst day of my life. The world lost …
October 2, 2021
It’s not quite done, but I spent some time in the tattoo chair today. Jaidon’s name and birthday. The Red-Tailed Hawk, and the stacked stones …
September 27, 2021
National son’s day is incredibly challenging for those of us who lost a son. If Jaidon were still here he would have been livid that …
September 27, 2021
Tomorrow is National Son’s Day. It will be yet another day that I will be reminded that my boy is no longer with us. Looking …
September 23, 2021
I survived the high holidays and am no better as a result. Tomorrow my littlest will turn 14, and I have no idea how that …
September 16, 2021
You really have no idea how much you are able to endure until you are forced to do so. Today was another one for the …
September 15, 2021
As we approach Yom Kippur I have been dreading lighting my first yahrzeit candle for Jaidon. For the last nine years I have cried my …
September 11, 2021
This has been one hell of a rough week. We had our first Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) without Jaidon. We hit the three month …
September 9, 2021
Three fucking months, today. Each minute has been a blur blending into the next. The anticipation of the 9th of each month causes my anxiety …
September 7, 2021
Time, what is it? By definition, a noun, a verb, an adjective As humans we judge time By how long it takes To orbit around …
September 6, 2021
I am ready to start a new year, one that will hopefully be a bit more peaceful. Really, I wish that for everyone. L’Shana Tovah …
August 31, 2021
I’m late to the back to school photo post, but, well, keeping on top life this week has been a struggle. Honestly, that may be …
August 23, 2021
This had been a very tough weekend. Another series of eye opening self discoveries met with aching realities. This weekend I learned that I cannot …
August 22, 2021
This weekend was supposed to be monumental. We were supposed to move Jaidon into Towson University. I could see it at his graduation in June. …
August 20, 2021
I love my family, with all my heart. Even when they aren’t easy to love. Over the years we have had our fair share of …
August 16, 2021
This weekend was a whirlwind of activity. But honestly most weekends it is a fine line between keeping busy enough to function and having some …
August 16, 2021
“I scream your name. At night, during the day, In my head, and out loud. I know you won’t hear it, but I still scream …
August 9, 2021
Of course it poured like mad on my way home from work today, because that was the kind of day it was. Thank goodness for …
August 9, 2021
Two months. Two hard, painful months. Time stopped for us, yet continues on as well. That is strange. Would give anything for just a small …
August 5, 2021
I came to your house So many people are there I know that you recently moved in I hope that you are settled in I …
August 3, 2021
Party of five. Ugh. Just saying that aloud brings me to my knees with despair and devastation. We just got back from our first family …
August 3, 2021
More entries for the year of firsts. On Friday, we went on vacation to the same place we have our last vacation as a family. …
July 25, 2021
Whew. This weekend was a fuckload of intense reality. We ended up cramming in the truck, the five of us and one of Jaidon’s best …
July 22, 2021
Tonight Troy and I had date night out front in our yard. We have a small two topper under a lovely tree which provides nice …
July 21, 2021
Yesterday, I read a statement from a friend who violently and tragically lost everyone but his mother 26 years ago. Scott Goff wrote he was …
July 18, 2021
Ok so I finally did it! Let me be completely honest… I hate baking with a passion. I mean HATE it. Way too precise and …
July 18, 2021
Let’s talk weekends These days are full Not like they used to be With joy, laughter, excitement These days are filled with dread Because the …
July 13, 2021
Today was a shit day. Why? Because the wind blew in that general direction. There really doesn’t have to be a reason. Everything and anything …
July 13, 2021
Today, I went and got a new dishwasher. The old one broke. I brought it home. I got pissed off. I was so upset. This …
July 8, 2021
Where did the time go? Somehow June 9th feels like ten seconds ago, I remember every single detail of that night like it just happened. …
July 8, 2021
Yesterday was four weeks. Tomorrow is thirty days. I am not sure how this has gone by so fast and also been the slowest time …
July 4, 2021
Jaidon was kind enough to leave us his sourdough starter. So, despite my lack of love for baking, we got the recipes he used from …
July 2, 2021
This is the last photo Jaidon ever took on his phone. I suspect he was fascinated by the Tesla’s license plate being all ones. You …
July 1, 2021
Never again will I see your smile Except in a picture frame I can try to see you in memories And that is really a …
June 30, 2021
I woke up this morning with the sudden realization that three weeks has passed since we lost Jaidon. How is that possible? Time has stood …
June 30, 2021
Today marks three weeks. It seems like just yesterday and also 10 years. I am not sure how this is possible. As I was looking …
June 29, 2021
For more than two years Jaidon volunteered as an apprentice at the Kid Museum. So much so that he earned an award for exceeding 270 …
June 27, 2021
The wind walked across my skin today Carefully maneuvering, keeping me calm The sun smiled down Kissing my skin, warming my body The ground embraced …
June 26, 2021
This morning for whatever reason, my shitty, post-covid, foggy brain had a moment of clarity and actually remembered that Jaidon had given me the password …
June 24, 2021
To those out there not knowing what to say to us, we hope you never have the words. If you do, it means you know …
June 23, 2021
Two weeks. Two long, excruciating, awful weeks. The call no parent wants, we got. Just as Jess said, “It has been like an out of …
June 23, 2021
Two weeks ago tonight my absolute worst fears as a parent came to a horrific reality. I spent the night, stomach in knots, chasing Jaidon’s …
June 21, 2021
Today has been hard. Jess went back to work. Kyra went to work. Mattea went to camp. Laylie was a teen, slept in late and …
June 21, 2021
Today I bit the bullet and went back to work. It wasn’t as horrifying as I had thought it was. I found peace in cranking …
June 20, 2021
To all of those out there that deserve it, Happy Father’s Day. That includes single mother’s. You have a tough job. I wish a peaceful …
June 19, 2021
This photo says it all. It is courtesy of a person that does not know me or my family. She stopped at the memorial to …
June 19, 2021
Since losing my dad nine years ago I have struggled with Father’s Day. It has always been a struggle for me as a daughter who …
June 18, 2021
I felt guilty today. I felt guilty because I allowed myself to laugh and smile. I allowed myself to have moments where things felt normal. …
June 17, 2021
Rise What do you do when your soul gets sucked out Allow it to return Rising up slowly like a seedling on a damp forest …
June 17, 2021
Like any parent who has gone through their teenager’s belongings, we were nervous to see what we would find in his bag from the trip. …
June 16, 2021
Firsts. We began our year of firsts last Wednesday night. We had our first night without Jaidon. We had our first morning without him. Our …
June 16, 2021
Ordinarily today would be a great day, it is Troy’s birthday, but for the past few days he has been dreading it. My wish for …
June 15, 2021
In the words of Ice Cube, today was a good day, at least it was by the end of the day. I had night terrors …
June 14, 2021
Today has been yet another day of pain and joy. We met with the principal at Walter Johnson. As we pulled up, the first name …
June 14, 2021
Today we went to the school to meet with Jaidon’s principal. Everyone we met gave us huge hugs and was so supportive. We delivered cookies …
June 13, 2021
The outpouring of love for our family is amazing. Thank you to everyone for being a part of everything. Pain, Pain, Don’t Go Away. I …
June 13, 2021
There really are no words but there is overwhelming amounts of love and support…and food. We are forever grateful for the outpouring of love and …
June 12, 2021
I can’t begin to say thank you enough to the outpouring of love and support that we have received. Please know that we have read …
June 11, 2021
Jaidon and I weren’t always too close, but in the past year and a half, we were the closest we’d ever been. For the past …
June 11, 2021
In less than an hour, we will begin the funeral of my son. Jaidon was in a car accident with some friends. He lost his …
June 11, 2021
Well that fucking sucked. Tribute to Jaidon: https://www.wusa9.com/mobile/article/news/local/maryland/high-school-seniors-killed-car-crash-west-virginia-walter-johnson-high-school/65-8ad9f76c-9163-43af-ad15- Link to donate to the Jaidon Smith scholarship fund: Jaidon Smith Scholarship Fund
June 9, 2021
It is with extreme heartache and sadness that we have to tell you that tonight we lost our baby boy. He and his friends were …