The Only Thing Constant in Life is Change

Yep, it is imminent. Good byes are generally hard. This one is going to take the cake. Births, broken bones, Gizmo, Laddie, ketchup blood, no training wheels, lizards, first kisses, celebrations, boogie boards on Lake Bonmark, proms, neighborhood rumbles, jump or dive, and best friends. Bonmark is where I have LIVED for nearly 19 years.

Memories.

A friend of mine, Adele a breast cancer survivor, always says: "the only thing constant in life is change." Change is good. One of MY favorite sayings is: "when one door closes another opens". It's true.

I am ready for this next chapter in my life. Shedding some of the heaviness I've been carrying for far too long. Purging some of the bad memories and storing the good ones for dinner discussions and story telling when I'm old (o.k. older). Looking towards tomorrow and savoring yesterday. It's all good.

la joie de vivre

The Joy of Life can be found everywhere and nowhere. In people, animals, a feeling, a smell (one of my favorites) or even a sound. I sense Spring in the air all of a sudden and it makes me energized and happy. I'm not a Winter person - I really hate darkness and cold weather. Baby hawks squawking as they learn to hunt and fly, that first blossom on the Liquid Amber tree and well, just a sensation of early Spring - it is definitely in the air. Spring is Mother Nature's Joy of Life. Certain people have their own joie de vivre. We all know them. They are the ones with the positive attitudes, a zest and hunger for new experiences and a love of people - all types. I've also noticed that these people accept and love unconditionally and they only look into the future. They are the ones talking about current events, and the latest technology - yesterday a distant memory. They take classes and are lifelong learners. They keep all of the negatives in the past and they truly know how to live in the present. I am fortunate enough to have Hugh in my life. He is a gift and an inspiration. I am also fortunate to have known Nana, a soul-mate gone for many years now, but who I think about almost every day. She still comes to me in my dreams. In simple terms, I think the trick is to always put one foot in front of the other. There is a possibility in every tomorrow. That is the Joy of Life.

A Season for Everything

Remember that email? The one that comes around every year or so about why different people come into your lives? I got to thinking about it the other day and realized that I'm a little different. Without exception, all of my friends, the ones I respect, truly care about and would do anything for, are people I have known for the better part of 20 years, or my entire life. Co-workers, the contractor building our house, mom of your kid's best friend, are people you know but not really friends. Friends are different and long term. They will tell you that are wrong and still put their arms around you in support. I believe that I am a long-term friend -at least I aspire to be one. This week I was humbled by 4 exceptional friends in my life. My Mom, my husband, my sister Lindy and my friend, Lana. It was a rough week, I needed 4 friends.

Never Say Never!

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be a blogger.

I love it. I am so amused and secretly voyeuristic about what others want to share with their friends, family and basically (potentially) the World on a narcissitic website. I have decided to make the big jump and create a blog about my own crazy life - hopefully for the enjoyment of others despite the advice of my "perfect for me husband" who says 'blog, 'blog, 'blog.

My life is crazy and I'm hoping that this blog will help me lighten up and appreciate the humor and ecstasy of life. As my friend Lana says, "one must live life intentionally". I think I'm doing a pretty good job of it as I can't imagine fitting anything else into my life (oh, except Grandkids!)

My biggest lesson thus far in 2007 is that I have learned the true definition of "fun", what "fun" isn't, and why one must always have "fun".

Fun is fishing and catching a big Lincod!
Fun is having your husband sing to you first thing in the morning!
Fun is playing Texas Hold'em with your kids and their significant others!
Fun is reading a book by a quiet river in Big Sur!
Fun brings a smile to your face and a lightness into your soul.
Health is fun.
Love is Fun.
Life is meant for fun.

Blogs. Never say never...