Growing up Rich

Thanksgiving was great this year. It started out slightly melancholy for no particular reason but the mood changed as the family started rolling in. I realize this year how blessed I really am. My parents have always been there for me and still continue to "take care of me" when I need to be taken care of. It has not always been easy for them as I have had a few ups and downs along the way and if not for their unwavering love and support, I can't imagine how I would have made it through. My mom reminds me every once in awhile about how times were hard when Rick and I were kids. My mom going back to school and being gone during the summers, my dad taking care of us while working full time and coaching. Other times when they tried to make ends meet every month on a school teacher's salary and constantly having to remind us we would get things after the 16th because teachers only got paid once a month. So many sacrifices and so much hard work. The fact is, and I am sure Rick would agree, that if we really were "poor" we never were aware of it. It has always seemed strange when mom talks about the "hard times" because I never knew they were. I always felt privileged and well taken care of and never ever new money was tight. For that I will be forever grateful to mom and dad. This is why we willingly go along with the tradition my mom has set forth that has us holding hands and saying one by one why we are thankful. It never fails that mom will be the last to speak and cry her eyes out. We all laugh and joke about the impending "circle of life" and the comparisons to the citizens of Whoville chanting "ra hu ra hu ra hu ra hu" in the center of the town. So many memories and so much love and with each Thanksgiving we remember them all.

The Real Beauty and The Real Beast

I'm Baaaaack. My computer has been unavailable to me. However, it came at a good time because I had a case of the "blahs" BIGTIME! I just seemed to feel nothing which is what my writing would have reflected had I not had an excuse. Needless to say, I had an avalanche of meaningful thoughts during this so-called "downtime". My first attempt at reentry into the blogging world had better be good. So, here goes. I was watching Oprah on the episode where she interviewed Charla, the brave woman who survived a near fatal, brutal attack by a chimpanzee. Most everyone is familiar with the story by now. I admit I was sucked in by the trailer that played on my sense of morbid curiosity to see the first unveiling of the "woman without a face". The idea was that she would reveal herself in a controlled environment, without the pandemonium brought on by the uncaring paparazzi whose only goal was capturing the money shot. I felt completely comfortable with this reason and besides, Oprah does give an intelligent and thoughtful interview. As I was watching, I became completely fixated on the television and this brave, heroic woman who had nothing the least bit negative to say. She had no hate in her heart and no bitter or angry words. Her main concern was for her daughter and just surviving day to day. She had a new appreciation for something as insignificant as taking a walk and feeling the sun's warmth on her face shining through the hospital windows. I can honestly say that after the first few minutes, her unveiled face seemed to disappear when she spoke and I became lost in her words. What an inspiration this woman was to me. I spend so much time worrying about things that really mean nothing while she finds love and purpose in every waking moment. WOW! A commercial came on and I hit the "repeat" button on the remote control so I could follow my usual routine and watch Larry King Live during Oprah's commercials. I was sure that the most horrible and hideous sight had already appeared during the Oprah interview. I was wrong. The most awful and obnoxious vision that I never thought would be possible made it's way on to the television screen, Carrie Prejean, grinning from ear to ear with her HUGE......pearly white teeth showing off her book and scolding Larry King for being "inappropriate." Not just once, but at least three times and adding "Very" to inappropriate so he positively got the message. That moment was a turning point for me because I then realized what I should be spending my time worrying and writing about. I thank God for that moment and for Charla. She portrayed more beauty in her words, without a face, than Carrie Prejean, a ridiculous role model and a horrible representation of young Americans, could ever hope to project. Thank you Dear Lord for that lesson.

To punctuate or not to punctuate, that is the question

Where do I begin? Do I have so many thoughts racing through my mind that I don't know what to comment on first? Do I just have what is referred to as writer's block and I am making excuses? It is a little bit of both I suppose. Over the past several months, I am contemplating several options that I think I am good at. I love to write. I consider myself to be a self-made Fashionista and would love to share that with others. I have taken on another friend to personal train. I have decided I will follow all of these dreams and see which one I still feel passionate about a year from now. Why not? It has taken me my whole life to even know what I am good at and love doing, and now I have to make up for lost time. One thing I have decided to do is punctuate! That sounds petty and obvious to everyone else but for me it is a big step. My mind races so fast that my written words can't keep up with my brain's thoughts. The fact is that to be taken seriously by the editors I may show my work to, I have to do it right or I will undermine my great literary works and end up in the circular file. How tragic that would be. What if our fore fathers didn't capitalize or punctuate or even spell correctly. The right to "bear arms" would have a completely different meaning. Hunters would be wandering around aimlessly trying to kill game with the limbs of grizzly bears. "A rose by any other name" may smell like sweat? Maybe I really do have writer's block.