My Birthday Reflections

Today I celebrate my 59th birthday . . . just saying 59 seems . . . well  . . . unbelievable to me . . . wasn’t I just 40?!?  For some reason this year I’m very reflective . . . maybe because a lot has happened over the last few years and there will be quite a few changes coming in the near future. . .

Three years ago to the day, I was hooked up to chemo . . . I told myself that this would be the last crappy birthday I would have . . . and so far I’ve kept that promise to myself.  A year later I spent my birthday under the stars at Ravinia, a beautiful outside music venue with family and friends, the next year I went to Cancun Mexico and this year I am going to Greece! 

The year ahead is bringing many changes . . .   I’m entering into my last year of teaching and I will be moving to New Mexico to begin a new life . . . there will be 7 of us embarking on this new adventure! As exciting as this is . . . I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a little sad too. Saying good-by to step-sons, daughter-in-laws, grandchildren and some of the best friends a person can be blessed to have will be very, very tough.  Hopefully they all know that there will always be a cozy bed and a nice glass of wine waiting for them!

Birthdays . . . they come quickly and that’s why it’s important to live life . . . make memories that are embedded into your heart forever . . . and always remember it’s the people in our lives that count not the things!

An Evening With Tim . . . Tim McGraw!

The setting . . . was oh so right
A perfect . . . warm . . . summer night
Thousands waiting to hear and see
My favorite country boy from Nashville Tennessee
As darkness fell across the sky
A helicopter appeared and swooped on by
Then he appeared to face the crowd
It was like electricity  just bursting out loud
2 hours of rocking with my boy Tim
That gorgeous face under the black rim!

New Mexico . . .

It’s called “Land of Enchantment” for a reason
A calming . . .  Zen feeling comes over you
Big blue sky that seems to go on forever . . .
The sun which is almost always present . . .
Surrounded by majestic mountains . . .
Soon enough . . . will be my new home . . .

Stunning Finish . . . Stunning Season!

What a season!  What a series!  What a finish!
If you live in the Chicago area you know what I’m talking about . . .
Our Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup last night after a tough tough series with Boston.  The Hawks gave fans a magical season . . . a season to remember . . . a season I hate to see end.  There was so much I loved about this team this year but the one thing in particular was that they were a “team” mentally and physically . . . they talked the talk and walked the walk.  At no time in any interview all year did I hear one of the players taking individual credit . . . it was always the team . . . the guys . . .  “we” . . .  our goal.  They are a class act team . . . a team that young kids can look up to . . . a team I’m proud to love!

The Wedding

A wedding . . . a ceremony between two people
Two people making the commitment to love each other through good times . . . and hopefully through the rough patches as well
Family and friends celebrating and sharing in the love

I just got back from Marquette Michigan where I celebrated with my 40+ year friends.  One of my friend’s daughter married her prince charming!  We spent the weekend laughing and crying . . . happy tears of course and loving that we were able to share this special day. 
The wedding ceremony was held in Presque Isle  Park which overlooks Lake Superior. A perfect day . . . sun glistening over the lake, temperature around 75 degrees . . .  truly a picture perfect backdrop!
The bride so beautiful in a gorgeous dress suited for a princess.  I honestly I believe she had to win the prize for the most excited bride ever.  I don’t think she stopped smiling for 3 days!

Sharing these special times with friends . . . friends that you love like family . . . truly priceless!