Friday, April 29, 2011

William and Kate WHO?




Well, I can’t just ignore that it happened – the whole WORLD was watching! All those thousands of people in the streets, William and his bride-to-be under the scrutiny of the world, watching every second of their approach to the alter. And the whole thing was so…civilized. The Queen mum sure does know how to keep her brand steady in the midst of commotion, doesn’t she?

While I agree that the new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge certainly looked beautiful, I’ve got to say that it was another man and woman who completely stole the show…while not a couple, Kate’s sister, Pippa, wore the most stunning gown (sorry Kate, it’s true) and…William who? If you didn’t think it before, surely you can agree now that David Beckham is H. O. T. with a capital HOT!

But, life goes on… As the Royal couple sealed their vows with a kiss at Buckingham Palace, I received a text message from a dear friend. “Thinking about separating.” The juxtaposition made that simple sentence even more sad for some reason. I’m praying for her and her family. And hoping William and Kate remember something that an old friend’s mom told me on the eve of my own wedding some 16 years ago…”The marriage is more important than the wedding.” There is no way to know what will happen in your future, and as you’re walking down the aisle, it’s not foremost on your mind. But take heed, the wedding lasts one day, the marriage is intended to last a lifetime.

Good luck to the Royal Bride and Groom. I’m going to see if I can find a knock-off of Pippa’s dress! I’m not sure if I’ll ever take that walk again, but if I do…mark my words…I’ll be wearing THAT dress (and walking towards a dead ringer for David Beckham)!

Here’s to keepin’ the dream alive…

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Surprise!


My mom turned 65 earlier this month. My brother and I thought it might be fun to throw her a surprise party, so I got the ball rolling by calling one of her oldest friends, Mary Ellen, for help in putting together the guest list. I was thinking of something casual but nice, a small gathering in my home. Mary Ellen got me a few names , and I reached out to those people asking for their input...was there anyone else I should invite? Could anyone provide me with the name and contact info for anyone I may have missed? As I called each person, I quickly introduced myself. "I'm Phyllis' daughter," I'd say. The response was the same every time: "Oh my God, is she okay?" It became something of a joke, and I finally learned to preface my phone call with, "My mom's fine...I'm planning a surprise party for her!"

I started the guest list with family...9 people...then added to the list as the women I called provided me with names of people to invite. There was the friend mom walks with on Saturdays...10...and the group of teachers she worked with a few years ago that she's still very close with...16... the dear friends out of town...20...the Sunday dinner group...30...old neighbors...32...the breakfast crew...41...

The final guest list reached 49. I created an e-vite and sent it out. And promptly began receiving RSVPs and lovely notes about my mom...

"She's such a dear friend," one woman told me. Another called and said, "I love your mom as much as my own mom!" In email after email, I heard my mom described as wonderful, kind, loving, giving, funny, a great listener, a shoulder to cry on... Many of these from people I knew only in passing, if at all.

So many of us know our family members from just one perspective: mom, dad, aunt, cousin, sister, brother, daughter, son. But every person we have one label for has many other titles we may never know about until after they're gone. I'm very blessed to have met so many of my mom's dear friends now. And even more so, that I am one of only two people in this world who can call this woman "mom."



Tuesday, April 5, 2011

It's About Time

God doesn't give you the people you want, He gives you the people you need...

to help you,

to hurt you,

to leave you,

to love you,

and to make you into the person you were meant to be.

I love this quote. It has a great deal of meaning for me, as I've certainly been helped, hurt, left, and loved in my 38 years. I also should admit that I've done some helping, hurting, leaving and loving of my own. Who among us can say we haven't, somewhere along the way?

The idea that it's all part of God's plan is comforting, I think. There are a handful of people who've come into my life for a shorter period than I'd have liked (and a few who've outstayed their welcome!) but knowing that each of them helped me get to where I am now is a good feeling. Hopefully they know that, too.

I've been quiet here lately. And each time I sit down to contemplate a new post, I realize that I am still too close to the situation, making it very difficult to put my emotions into words. I do realize, though, that true, raw emotion is where the money is for writers...I'm working on it.

But, I digress. If someone has come into your life for a very short time, but made a huge impact, I'd love to hear about it.