It happened on a quiet Saturday afternoon in an ironic fashion (as these things always seem to do) in that we were just discussing how long the object had been around.

It began it’s life on November 1, 2008.  Audi gave it the breath of life a few hours before Josie’s party was to start that afternoon.  Just a standard pearlized white balloon bought at Walmart.  The cheapest set they had, after all, they were only balloons and were meant to be enjoyed and destroyed by the young guests that day only.  But no, not this balloon.  It took on a life of it’s own - determinded to leave it’s mark in our lives.

It hung around for a few weeks with some of it’s brothers and sisters.  But soon, it was alone.  However, the holidays were coming shortly.  Another chance to celebrate.  Thanksgiving came and so did Cory.  That night a friend joined us for some Euchre.  We were all sitting around the table:  Audi and I, AJ and Brittany, Cory, and Jared.  AJ casually looked up and said, “Hey, there’s a ballon up in the corner.”  It was written on, rubbed with static, and hidden in the alcove earlier that day.  (I saw it all go down because Cory asked me for a marker.)  AJ got up from his seat, grabbed it, and read it’s message out loud: “You smell.  Love, Cory”.  Of all the people to find that balloon, it was perfect that it was AJ.  We laughed hysterically.  Christmas came and went.  New Years came and went.  Valentines Day came and the “You smell” balloon was still wandering around the house.  Then, on that fateful afternoon of February 14th, 2009, the infamous pearlized white balloon went *pop*.  It said goodbye gracefully fulfilling it’s purpose by being enjoyed by a four year old.  It was fifteen weeks old and will be missed.