Bridge Over Troubled Waters

When the darkness of the night enters the crevices of life's sorrows and the weight of that pain bends our spirit, friendships' love gently sprinkles sunlight into the darkness. The illumination creating upward mobility; forcing lifted spirits. It is friendship's magic that stretches across the monstrous waves of disappointment and grief. As 2013 ended, an epiphany reminded me how abundantly grateful I am to have such friends in my life.  Their smiles, laughter, kindness and endless uplifting words and deeds have pulled me from the grips of heartache into tomorrow's hope.  I'm selfishly counting on their unmatched cup of goodness filled with outrageous silliness to continue runneth over. 

As I journey from one Chapter to another Life's Chapter, I'm reminded of studies relating to Regrets of the Dying.  The studies revealed the top five regrets:

1. I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me. (the most common regret of all)
2. I wish I hadn't worked so hard.
3. I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings.
4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends. 
5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.

What's your greatest regret so far, and what will you set out to achieve or change before you die?

It's a wrap! Thanks to all who have read my blog.  Your extraordinary encouragement, humbling and gracious feedback have been the  bridge over my trouble waters. 

***Special thanks to my pain in the butt friends/family who have their foot on my neck encouraging me to pursue other dreams (you know who you are).

Bella Vita!

Angels all around me

Staring over my mother's grave in, I feared I'd be abandoned and cast into the shadows of darkness...  scary and debilitating losing your anchor..losing your mother. But with a little help from my friends, I transcended into the light. ..Angels all around me.

Out of the storm of life's raging battles, I fell into the blossom of sisterly love...Angels all around me.

Surrounded by friendship's beauty, I look upon their faces and I feel my mother's  presence...Angels all around me.

Many angels planted like trees along my life's journey; others, a breeze in the wind. All leaving their footprints in the sand...Angels all around me.

Tribulations bearing down on my soul, the good times rolling...Angels all around me .

With the sting of tears streaming down my face, I close my eyes and see my mother's face...thank you mother ...Angels all around me.

I have been given the priceless gift of friendships...many not mentioned or seen in this post...Angels all around me.

To all, I'm both humbled and honored; as nothing renders me worthy.

Please check out my showcase of angels celebrating my 48th birthday:

 

Are you... 'Doing It'?

I dream of the day when I'm doing it and as often as I like. A close friend just recently celebrated her 50th birthday and I asked, "What are your aspirations now that you've turned the big 50?  Actually, I asked this question before she turned 50, and I asked again shortly afterwards, her response was the same...I'm already doing it.  My immediate thought was... at least some one is.  She expressed that she was doing things in her life to enhancing her happiness.   I have a couple of years before I reached this milestone, and "I'm already doing it" has prompted me to ask myself, why am I not already doing it? I wish I had a profound reason; but the truth is, I just haven't accomplished or started some of my brilliant ideas.  There...no excuses. But...what I do have are some things that I've  learned in my 48 years:

1.  Good friends are just as important as family, red velvet cake and fabulous shoes.

2.  I don't regret things I did when I was younger--but I do regret things I didn't do.  Wait!...make that I don't regret most things.  There was that Mad Dog 20/20 that had me gagging around 13 or 14 years of age. My mother thought that I had eaten too much candy. Ha!

3.  If you want my opinion, I'll be honest.  If you don't want it, don't ask.  I'll only provide it if you're about to do something stupid. There are those rare occasions when I can't resist offering my two cents.  Hey! That's what friends are for. 

4.  I'll no longer stuff my feet into shoes that hurt just because the shoes are gorgeous.  How gorgeous did you say they were?

5.  Okay, maybe I'm not the center of the universe...Today.

6.  Speaking up is way underrated.

7.  I miss my mother everyday.

8.  Everybody is entitled to his or her opinion.  I don't have to agree with it, nor pretend I do.  But their opinion belongs to them and it's not up to me to judge. But, there is good chance I'll talk about it.

9.  If my legs can rock a mini skirt, then I'm wearing one.  OK...make that a mid-skirt.

10.  I no longer take rejection so personally because it's usually more about the other person than about me.

11.  Life is too short not to be doing it.  So, start doing it today!

Check out this new 50 year old diva's celebration.  Hey, her husband turned 50 this year too.  Take a look:

Her birthday celebration!

 His birthday celebration!