You've Got a Friend in Me

"Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. 

Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. 

Just walk beside me and be my friend." -Albert Camus

I feel so fortunate to have made the wonderful friendships I have in the past year or so. The ladies I have met through my book club, movie club, then our Bunco group are such a blessing. We've had so many fabulous laughs (the almost pee your pants kind), shared a few tears, and perhaps most importantly, developed a strong bond.

Our  second  Bunco, Feb 2011

Seeing them always puts a smile on my face.(click above)We are at all different stages of our lives. Some are married, some are single, one is getting married; one is having a baby. Like me, there is one who struggles with infertility. Some have careers, some are stay-at-home-moms, but all are extremely intelligent and literally have hearts of gold.

Melissa and Shan

Hands 4 Hope Halloween Party

There is an old saying..."Good friends are like stars. You don't always see them, but you know they're always there." With our group, we're always there for each other and I believe this makes all the difference. I trust these women and our friendship is built solidly on mutual respect. 

Erin, Trish, Kelly & Melissa

Michelle, Jess, Lynsey & Nora

It's harder to make friends when you are older. Even for someone like me, who is quite outgoing, making friends is much easier when you are younger. Life is not easy, but having friends by your side that you can share life experiences with, makes it easier.

Jess, Shan, Sara & Trish

EDH Concert in the Park 2011

Erin & Shan (SS)

I consider myself very lucky to have found these women. Through books, movies, Bunco, and most importantly, loving friendship, they have made my life so much fuller.

Playing for Change

I love unexpected surprises. 

Yesterday morning, a friend posted on Facebook that she had two tickets to see a group called Playing for Change at the local community theater. Up for an adventure, J and I responded and two hours later, we were sitting in the audience.

Playing for Change was started by two partners traveling the world in search of uniting the human race through music. Their hope is that music will bring people together, despite the color of their skin, cultural upbringing, or social status.

Throughout their travels around the world, Playing for Change recorded various musicians singing the same song. With the benefit of modern recording technology, the collaboration of these diverse people became a worldwide phenomenon. One of their most famous collaborations is Stand by Me. It has received over 40 million You Tube hits to date.

Playing for Change - Stand by Me

Playing for Change's journey included interviewing musicians and learning their inspiring stories; tales of how music helped them to persevere through various racial and social hardships. One of the ensemble's most notorious members is Grandpa Elliot "Grandpa." Over 70, Grandpa has played on the streets of New Orleans since he was six years old. Grandpa's harmonica music and deep soothing voice will lift up your soul.

Grandpa Elliot - Sugar Sweet

The Playing the Change tour's success laid way for the Playing for Change Foundation to be established. The non-profit is dedicated to promoting positive cultural change through music. Propelled by the belief that all children should have the right to learn music, the foundation has built three music schools and started seven music programs worldwide. 

We had an amazing time yesterday at Playing for Change's concert. After listening to their uplifting music and inspiring stories (as well as dancing in the aisles,) we are so happy we went. It is quite remarkable how a group of international musicians who used to play for change, are now playing to change the world. 

And who knows...

maybe world peace is possible through unifying the races through music.

An Unplanned Life

"We must be willing to get rid of the life we planned so as to

have the life that is waiting for us."

-Joseph Campbell

My aunt shared this quote with me yesterday and I think it's one that applies to everyone.

Like most, I had a vision of what my life would be like at 41. To be honest, my life is not at all what I planned. For starters, I am not playing professional baseball. At my kindergarten graduation, I proudly announced that I wanted to be a professional baseball player (likely for the Dodgers) when I grew up.

As unrealistic as that was, at some point in my life, it was what I planned. I also planned on being a marine biologist and an award-winning journalist. While the journalist is still a possibility, my hopes of playing pro baseball and becoming a marine biologist are pretty slim.

I also thought I would have a house full of children by now, but if you've read my other blog, You, Me and Baby g, you know that life had other plans for me. This is by far the hardest of my past plans to get rid of. While adopting was not part of my "original" life plan, it is the clear path my life has taken. 

And until I was ready to give up this original plan, I knew I could not move forward to this new path. It is not easy to let go of your original plans, but in order to move forward, it's imperative.

I am ready now and I know the life I'm supposed to have is waiting. 

Yours is too. Safe travels!

An Ode to Dr. Seuss

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

I adored Dr. Seuss when I was a child. And you know what, I still do!

There is such philosophical meaning in each of his books. 

While his rhyming prose, quirky characters, and colorful illustration appeal to all ages, it wasn't until I became an adult that I truly appreciated the life messages ingrained in his work. 

Dr. Seuss, or Theodor Seuss Geise, published 46 children's books. You'll notice that he is careful not to start his poignant stories about moral issues. Stating that children can see "a moral coming a mile away," he opted instead to integrate life issues.

  

It truly amazes me that his books have stood the test of time. Through all of the technological advances and millions of children's stories published since, the Dr. Seuss collection remains a scholarly favorite. In my mind, his vibrant imagination is unparalleled. 

It is hard to pick my favorite Dr. Seuss book and I think it has changed, as I have matured. 

But, if I did have to choose one, it would be Oh the Places You'll Go!

I've told you my favorite book, although hard to choose,

Now tell me yours, what can you lose?