European Adventure

In May, my daughter Victoria is heading to Europe for 11 days. She’ll be going to Paris, Florence and Rome on a trip organized by her former Western Civilization professor. When she first told me about the trip, my first instinct was, ‘if you want to go, go!’ It’s a great opportunity. I’m sure amidst the historical journey they will be going on, there will be a whole lot of fun, too! She was able to find out if students from other schools could go along, they can – and one of her best friends is going along, too.

While they are in Florence, Eli is meeting up with them, and taking them to some of the local establishments. (Okay, the 3 of them in Italy, I’m a little scared!) One of my cousins is going to meet up with them in Florence, too. While in Rome, another cousin should be meeting up with them. It will be an awesome adventure for them.

I was good with the trip, really. I still am. Well, that was until yesterday. I admit, right now, I’m a little bit to a great bit freaked out about her getting on that big old plane. Mind you, at first, I was just thinking about the questions I’ll be interrogating the pilot with. They are flying on a red-eye …. did the pilot sleep? How much sleep did he get? Does he Twitter or FB while flying? Does he play solitaire on his laptop? Of course, there will be the drug and alcohol testing, so no questions necessary there. But, you get the picture.

Now, I’ve got to re-worry about crazy psychos again? It’s not that I’ve ever thought of letting my guard down when it comes to flying. But yesterday’s foiled attempt

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of a bomb suspect trying to blow up the flight has left a blob in my stomach worst than eating 5 Christmas-old fruit cake. I will need a brown paper bag for breathing exercises, a mild to strong sedative, and maybe a shot or two of Whiskey. I’ll start my breathing exercises now ….

The Gift of the Story

No, this isn’t personally about “MY” Anita’s story, but about the gift of a story. I’m just finishing up my Digital Storytelling course at ESC, and honestly, I have had too much fun, and wish it wasn’t over. I found myself thinking, I would have liked to do more work, I love this idea or that idea. To make a comparison, it was like the creative and technology equivalence of being a little kid in a candy store. The group in the class was really great work with and share ideas with. Minus a Twitter project, the projects themselves were individual, but the sharing on the discussion boards was as much of a learning process as if I were sitting in a lecture hall and probably moreso. Because of the nature of the course, Digital Storytelling, I don’t think it would have worked as successfully if it was in a classroom setting.

Over the course, of the course, I started thinking of how I could apply the ideas and technologies that I’ve learned into projects both professionally and personally. Most of us have at our fingertips technology that can capture moments and record them, share them, save them. Many, many, many years ago, we were all sitting around my parents dining room table and playing with “the” technology, a taperecorder. My Uncle Frank and my dad were kidding around and made a short recording that we all laughed about. Honestly, I didn’t think anything of it, at the time. Years, later, my uncle passed away. Somehow, my initial thoughts in that day were, I want that tape, I needed to hear his voice again, but I could no longer find the tape.

Today I spent time talking with a friend of mine, who’s grandfather has been quite sick. She told me how she spent time with him last night and he shared some stories of her dad when he was a young boy that they never heard before. I told her to grab her video camera, and let him talk. Let him share the stories of their family, and his life. This man, has lead an AMAZING life. He has been a civic leader, a community leader, and a devoted life-long public servant. The stories that he can share with his family about his family, and politics, can take up gigabytes and gigabytes of text alone.

Not that I didn’t already know the importance of stories, but I've learned to appreciate them more. I grew up in a close-knit family, in old-fashioned way, and shared stories around the dinner table. This course has truly opened so many doors to ideas – the most important though is, capture your stories now ~ they are gift. This has been the beginning of a very fun journey!

A Cultural Exchange

In 1982, my family hosted Fabiola, a 17 year-old girl from Chile. She stayed with us for 10 weeks, but the memory of the experience has stayed with me until this day. The experience was fun for me as I had a brother, but no sister. Though we were different, we were very much alike as well. To this day, we are still in contact. She has come back for a few visits, and though the years have been many, catching up has been a breeze.

Around this time of year, back in 2002, we started seriously looking to host an exchange student. I was hoping that my daughters could have the same type of experience as I did all those years ago. The search was almost like going shopping. We needed to find a girl who would fit in our family lifestyle and that enjoyed at least similar things as we do. First, we had to look through the different organizations, then to find the right student.

Six months of aggressively looking (after about 18 months of passively looking) we found our Hanna. She was a 17-year old from Sweden, and played soccer. Hanna would be 4 years older than Victoria, 8 years older than Adriana. This could work. We wrote to the exchange program, told them who we wanted, and she was placed on our list. Now, the interrogation came, a near 20-page application to host, letters of recommendation, host interview, background checks on Larry and I – pretty much everything minus providing DNA. (But, it’s good to know they were thorough in who they place students with.) Afterall, she was going to live with us for a year. She arrived at the beginning of August 2003, and left after the 4th of July, 2004 – she arrived with much excitement and anxiety, and left with many, many tears. I learned as much about Hanna and the Swedish culture as I hope she learned about the American culture. She was a smart, fun and enjoyable girl to be around. She wanted to constantly be exposed to new ventures, she loved to be on the go. I also learned that the Swedes had no idea what Swedish Fish were!! But now, thanks to the American influence, Hanna, her family and friends are all familiar with this wonderful treat! Hanna's year here was more for the experience, as she was not getting credit for it in Sweden.

At Jiminy Peak in Massachusetts with Hanna

June 2007, I had a crazy idea – let’s find a student again. This time, let’s go with an Italian girl, as I wanted to find out more about my own heritage through the life of a teenager. We began our ‘shopping’ for an Italian girl, and after reviewing over 250 profiles, we found Elisa (Eli). I vividly remember her profile letter. My father’s words still ring true, her letter was “too” perfect. Could this girl actually live up to what she presented in her letter? She hit the impossible, as she not only lived up to it, she surpassed it. Educationally, she was superior. We often talked about the differences in the schooling systems in the US vs. Italy. She said if she could take pieces of both, she’d be happy. In Italy, she went to school 6 days per week, there were no sports, no clubs, no proms, no graduations, no special days at school. Here, we offered all the extra “stuff” … which, is good and bad, I know. Personality wise, she was a perfect fit. She has a quirky sense of humor, and just fun and enjoyable to be around. Her humor, her charm was heartwarming and we created a special connection that will always stay with me.

The meeting of the families

The cost - in minimal. One extra mouth to feed, maybe the equivalence of an extra load of laundry a week. The benefit is this new relationship you form, and exposing you and your family to someone from another culture. As we shared our ways with these girls, we learned what it was like in their countries. Eli and Hanna can attest to the amount of times one of us would ask, "in Italy/Sweden do you...."

I feel that not only did my family learn about their cultures, but their friends from school learned about their cultures as well. There are still nights and times where I miss having them around. We had great fun on the big things that we did, but it’s all the little things, the things we laughed about that makes me miss them all the more. We were blessed with two amazing experiences. If you know of anyone out there, who is interested in hosting, and wants to talk with someone about the experience, please send them my way. The only pitfall is, they each took a piece of my heart with them when they left. But there’s the promise that we’ll see each other again. That’s the way it was meant to be.

The Soundtrack of my Life

Theme from Cheers
I come from the small town of Green Island (less than 2,500 residence, 1 square-mile large… or small depending on who says it). Everyone not only knows your name but your history as well – and depending on the topic … that can be a positive or a negative!


Seasons of Love, Rent
Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes, how do you measure the life of a woman or man.
Think about all the things one does over the course of a year. How much of a difference can be made? I won’t be moving mountains, but I will always try to make a difference. It’s not always about doing something grand and great, but the small things, helping out that can make a difference as well.


My Wish
My wish, for you, is that life becomes all that you want it to, your dreams stay big, your worries stay small and you never need to carry more than you can hold.
As a mom it is My Wish for my kids. Not that their lives will be perfect and free from trials and tribulations because that will only make them stronger. If they never fail, they will never learn some of life’s lessons. My wish is that their suffering or heart aches are few and far between - and if so, that they realize what a blessing that is.


Grown up Christmas List
Ahh, continued from above with My Wish, Christmas-ized. If I could make that wish to Santa today through the eyes of an adult … it would be for no more wars, no lives torn apart, time would heal all hearts and most importantly, right would always win – good over evil.


Georgia
I was in a drum corps for several years during my teens (in the color guard and rifle squad). Many songs were played and heard over the years, but the one that always brings me back to those wonderful days, is Georgia on my Mind. These people I formed friendships with, over 25 years ago had such a lasting effect on me. We spent more time with each other than with our families – and it was a truly amazing experience. I’m so glad I had the opportunity.


What a Wonderful World, Louie Armstrong
I hear babies crying, I watch them grow
They'll learn much more than I'll never know
And I think to myself what a wonderful world
I really can’t pinpoint exactly what it is about this song that I’d say this belongs in My Soundtrack. Just this segment from above, I think about in my lifetime all the changes that have come about and the technologies developed – it is truly amazing, and we’re just getting started.


Proud to be an American, The Star Spangled Banner and God Bless America
I refer to them as the patriotic triology - they give me chills when I hear them – The Star Spangled Banner, God Bless America and Proud to be an American. At the Smithsonian in Washington, I’ve viewed both one of the flags that ‘survived’ 9/11 – and the original American Flag that flew over Fort Sumter, inspiring Francis Scott Key. Both these symbols gave me a feeling that is indescribable.


Arrivederci Roma
Both of my parents are from Italy – my mother being from Rome. They came to the United States as adults, in hopes of establishing a life here – both leaving their families. I’ve tried to imagine what my life would have been like if they never did that, but it’s impossible for me to piece together a what-if to people and a place I only know stories about. Whenever I hear this song on the radio or in a restaurant, I think of my parent’s decision to come here, what they gave up … and what they gave us.


Vivaldi’s Four Seasons
I’ve always loved Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. When I was pregnant for both my daughters, I played the CDs all the time - now, the car soundtrack varies by whose iPod is plugged in. Four Seasons is always relaxing and soothing – and I’m a 4 seasons person, I love the Northeast!

Christmas Shopping Rules

Today I went shopping and within the first 30 minutes, I realized the ground rules needed to be set.

Cruising at about 64.9 MPR down the Northway to Colonie Center, I had spastic man behind me flinging his arms at my non-willingness to get out of his way. It would have been a simple thing to do, but there was a car in front of me, there was a car beside me, and I was in the 3rd lane. Next time you have your road rage at me sir, I will test my brakes and reflexes just to make sure I’m in check. No one is going anywhere fast. It’s 2 weeks before Christmas.

I pull into the parking lot. Ahhh, yes, the beloved vehicle that is special. So special, it needs to take up 2 parking spots, so the cars to the left and right do not dent it. If the car is that special, then don’t bring it to the mall during the Christmas season. And speaking of parking lots, speed limit should be reasonable. If we hear your wheels peel, you don’t belong in the parking lot, you belong at Lebanon Valley Speedway.

First customer service rep I came in contact with may have needed her morning coffee. She was not the kindest soul. Maybe it was an off day. But when the customer says, “Hi! How are you?” And when the sale is complete, and the customer says, “Thank you very much, and have a great day.” A courteous “Thanks” is an appropriate response. I get that people dread working during this season. But in today’s economy, the fact that one IS working, and at least during my transaction, wasn’t yelling or bitching … ‘thanks’ could be nice. I do love the CSR’s who are kind and friendly – and have a smile on their face. Idle chit chat makes the day smoothly.

Customers one and all must realize, shopping is crazy right now. Expect to wait in line. Loud heaving breaths will not make the CSR at the register go any quicker because you are in a hurry. We all are. Stand in line and deal with it (or shop on-line where there are no lines).

Do NOT butt people in line – don’t pretend you didn’t realize you were doing it, because we all know you knew! Funny story. Black Friday 1997, I was at Toys R Us on Wolf Road, it was 6 am, the store opened at 5. The regular line to check out was an hour wait long. The check-out at Electronics was 30 minutes. I’m standing in line, and the gentleman behind me was over 6 foot and a bit of a Hells Angels’ish type of fellow. A woman came with her cart and nudged her way into my backside, casually trying to cut the line. He looked at her, and told her to get to the back of the line. When she tried to explain her way out of it (or into the line saying she had been there), he informed her, “Lady, you have a better chance of shaking hands with Jesus Christ today than butting me in line, I said get to the back of the line.” LOVED his response.

And finally, take every opportunity to laugh (and laugh at yourself). Everyone can do something unintentionally funny … and it’s a good idea to be able to laugh about it. This year as I was shopping on Black Friday, I was in Target. I was in the DVD area (big sale on DVDs) with about 20 people scouring through the titles. One woman who had been squatting down stands up rejoicing and yells to her husband who was standing about 20 feet away, “BABY! I got Knocked up!” The laughter erupted, the processing in her mind started and then she realized. The better choice in wording could have been, “Baby! I found the DVD Knocked UP!” But instead, she gave us all a funny moment.

Newsworthy

Enough of the Woods!

I’m not quite sure what the newsworthiness is, or fixation on poor adult behavior – but can we please stop hearing about Tiger Woods' pathetic choices. Honestly, I don’t care what happens between he and his wife. I’d like to be able to turn on the television and not hear about the possibility of the newest mistress stepping forward, the payoffs that are going to happen to the mistresses, and to his wife or the trysts with various women that are somewhere between mistress and wife. It’s a disgusting amount of money that they are talking about. $1 million to her, $3 million to her, somewhere between $300 million and $500 million to the wife depending on how long she decides to put up with him (or vise versa).

This weekend, I went to the annual Melodies of Christmas at Proctor’s Theater in Schenectady. It’s been part of my family’s Christmas tradition for the past 14 years. This year, the Melodies celebrated its 30th year with yet another heart-warming, Christmas cheer-filled – and gut wrenching show featuring some of the most musically talented students in our area high schools. For those that have never gone to the performance, or seen it on television (it’s shown in the Capital Region on WRGB on Christmas Eve), the show is a fundraiser for the Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. The gut-wrenching part comes at the end, when children who are going through, or have gone through the Center are brought up on stage to sing Silent Night. Anyone with a heart, is on their feet for a standing ovation and tears in their eyes.

It all began 30 years ago as a caring grandfather found out his granddaughter had cancer. It started as one show at the Palace Theater in Albany, and has now expanded to 4 sold out shows each year at Proctor’s in Schenectady. Having this Center established in Albany means that children are able to receive treatments and research is done that give children in our area a fighting chance. They no longer have the only options of going to New York City or Boston, they can also receive services here. Thirty years ago, only 20 percent of the children diagnosed with cancer or blood disorders had a chance of survival. Today, those odds have increased to 80 percent. That's news!

The Celebration this year marked a poignant dedication as well. They announced that over the past 30 years, this show alone has raised over $6 million. The Center has now been re-named to be The Melodies Center, with dedication and thanks to WRGB, Freihofer Baking Company and Price Chopper. I brought the Woods into this because on my way to work today, 2 radio stations were referencing the money involved. It really sickened me to think if she stays or if they keep their mouths shut, they can have this many millions of dollars. I think about how much good use that hush money can be - to this Center, or to other Centers out there that can make the difference in hundreds or thousands of lives.

Poor, stupid choices by high profile people does a world of nothing for me. Grass roots efforts that bring about hope, change and the possibility of a better life (especially for a child), there’s the news I want to hear about. That’s newsworthy.

Here's a clip regarding this year's performance, as well as the announcement of the dedication:

Mammograms a la Federal Task Force

The other day I listened to a report on the news about the Federal Task Force’s “findings” regarding screening for breast cancer and that it is not really necessary until women are at age 50 – and even at that point, we only need to have them every other year. This news scares me, it scares the daylights out of me for that matter ... and top that off with a little bit of pissing me right the hell off! And to add insult to injury – they announce that screening for cervical cancer should wait a little while longer as well (and not be as often).

I’m going to keep it as clean as I can, but are you freaking kidding me?! Their recommendations include that females should wait until they are 21 to begin screening for cervical cancer. At a time in our history, where girls become sexually active in their teens, this panel thinks it’s better to wait? Instead of having a pap smear every year, it should be every other year? This little announcement got tucked away a couple days after the announcement of the most stupid, idiotic, pathetic – holy shit Batman announcement, that ‘Women should wait until they are 50 before being screened for breast cancer; and they should only be done every other year after that.’

According to this panel’s finding, mammograms and some other screenings are unnecessary – deforming biopsies that are performed, testing, women becoming upset with wrong initial readings. Maybe, just maybe, the imbeciles on this panel haven’t lived through the experience. Maybe those numbers on sheets of paper that they analyzed and crunched through some stupid algorithm that brought them to this outrageous announcement were thrown together by a bunch of twits who have had a few beverages. Someone said to me, well, you know this is radiation that they use for mammograms. Really? Yes, I know, this is radiation. I also know that there are toxins in the air that I breathe everyday that can be as harmful or more harmful to me.

I have had many people in my life, many that I have loved near and dear – affected by cancer. To date, breast, colon, prostate, lung, bone, brain and stomach cancers. To date, the NUMBER ONE type of cancer in my world of family and friends, has been breast cancer. Nineteen women – 19! Out of those 19 women, only 1 found out after the age of 50. The youngest, was about 25. Six of them, have died. One third of the women that I know that have had breast cancer have died because of it.

Maybe, this batch of imbeciles just got done snuggling up in bed with the insurance companies that are going to run away with these findings. Think of the probably billions of dollars they can save for denying these useless tests. This situation that they have created by this announcement will give a boost to the health care conglomerate that already doesn’t give a rat’s ass if I live or die – let them control one more thing of my life because of where the hash mark falls in their statistics. Afterall, I’m just a number.

Maybe now is the time that this particular panel should be plopped down in the middle of a Strides AGAINST Breast Cancer – or a Run for the Cure. Bring ‘em on! This is my life – my children’s lives – and my friend’s and family’s lives that they are messing with … DON’T Go there! Unless you are finding a cure, don’t you dare take center stage away from early detection – and give it to the insurance companies who can play with our lives even more.

Warm & Comfy Cozy

Perfect comfort – there’s nothing like it! Being that this is my favorite season, it made me think, what brings me that perfectly comfortable feeling. It grew into a Letterman Top Ten list, probably no drum roll though because they just all seem to bring that same type of feeling … warmth and peacefulness, and lots of contentment.

Cross-country skiing at Pineridge Ski Center on a day after a beautiful snow. If Norman Rockwell were around, he’d be painting there. Gi-normous trees covered with just the right amount of snow, fluffy white snow to ski on, and the right amount of hills to make us laugh as we wipe-out, if our skis go in the opposite direction that our brain is telling them to go.

Being at the ocean. From the rocky coast of Maine down to sweltering Florida, give me some good books, sand to run my hands through as I’m reading (very weird but I do it all the time … maybe because I’m think of ‘like sands through the hourglass, so are the Days of Our Lives’).

Sitting on my front porch, first thing in the morning, or at night, in my wooden rocker with a Mary Higgins Clark book (all books are acceptable, she’s just my favorite). When we had our house built, I wanted to have a wooden porch with rockers on it so I could literally curl up with a good book and a cup of coffee. Autumn nights are the best!

Reconnecting and reminiscing with friends. Lately it seems like a lot of paths cross have made me reminiscent of some really wonderful memories. And even though lives have taken us in different directions, sometimes it’s just good to have that coming home feeling.

Movie nights with my daughters. Get me any old chick flick or tear-jerker movie, or even a comedy, throw in some Homestyle popcorn, a glass of Zinfandel (hot chocolate for my daughters) and plop myself on the couch.

Taking a walk on a crisp autumn day in the evening, after the leaves have started to fall. I enjoy walking. I take walks everyday, just a peaceful time to think, sometimes just about nothing. The association with the autumn and leaves probably is because I get transported in time, and I can see my brother and our friends, jumping into huge piles of leaves … and even more fun seeing my kids play in the leaves.

The smell of cinnamon or the smell of sauce cooking. Really, simply just that – the savory aromas. Those two scents can make my mouth water and make me feel relaxed. There are some days, when I need to smell that scent – so it’s time to bake (or cook). When all else fails, Yankee Candle comes to the rescue.

Thanksgiving morning. We celebrate Thanksgiving at our house with both families. I do all the prep the day before, so Thanksgiving day is normally just putting things in the oven. But the aroma of the turkey and other foods cooking, while I’m watching the Macy*s Thanksgiving Day parade and making my plan of attack for Black Friday brings me feeling of comfort.

Christmas Eve. The traditions, family, friends. In my family, Christmas Eve has always been the big celebration of Christmas. Christmas Day was a different type of celebration. Christmas Eve is spent with the whole family – dinner, mass and gift exchange. There isn’t a single year that has gone by that I don’t that feeling of, ‘yes, this is exactly where I want to be.’ Even with all the exhaustion of activities leading up to the day and activities of the day, it’s just a homey comfortable feeling.

And the number one feeling peacefulness, warmth and contentment?

Big hugs. I’m from a family of huggers – it’s in the blood.

How far is too far in competition?

It is safe to say that I am a big sports fan – with the two most favorite sports being soccer and basketball. Rec soccer through travel soccer, Varsity soccer, college soccer, Pro and National team – male and female – have seen and followed them all. We have traveled to see games all around the northeast and as far Washington, DC. My kids have met and had photos taken with members of the Women of ’99 – the US Women’s Soccer team that won the World Cup and brought soccer to a new level. My kids have played on every soccer field in the Capital Region, they have played travel soccer since they were in 2nd and 1st grade. It wasn’t just that I wanted to be a supportive soccer mom, I just really love the game!

On any given night when a soccer game is on TV, it’s on in the house. My husband is even more of a soccer fan than I. Last week he came home to talk about the female player from New Mexico who went overboard in a soccer game. I point out overboard because in soccer, elbows fly, slide tackles happen, occasionally, you’ll see the ‘accidental’ body collision … it’s part of the game. Turned on the TV, and there it was being covered on CNN and on ESPN. For those who may not have seen it, this is the video clip of what is not acceptable on the soccer field. It was incredibly disturbing to me to watch. I go to a lot of RPI college hockey games and seen less disturbing acts of aggression (and the hockey game motto is, I went to a fight, and a hockey game broke out). Because of her loss of control, she is now banned from playing for the college – which most likely means a loss of scholarship money as well.






A couple nights later, in Rhode Island, another act of stupidity happened in a high school game. It obviously wasn’t enough that the players had to fight on the field, but when the awards were given out at the end of the game, the parents and fans broke out into a fight.





This just brought back a memory of when my youngest daughter was 6 years old and it was tournament day for Rec Soccer. She has always approached sports with a give all attitude, and as her mom, I say she’s talented athletically. Anyway, it’s tournament day – 5 and 6 year olds are playing micro soccer (3 on 3 plus a goalie). Due to illness, there were only 5 players for her team that day. She scored 3 goals before the 1st half. The coach from the other team (a soccer mom) went ballistic. She started screaming at her players to, “Take her out! GET HER!” (picture screaming and getting red faced with the force of the scream) Wait a minute, WHAT?! You’re talking about my daughter! Apparently, her players listened to her, on a run down the field, one of the boys went after my daughter, started to pull her down from behind. In her own defense, Adriana grabbed the boy’s shirt from behind and beat him in the pull down. It was her first “yellow card” (and I think only to date, she’s now in high school).

Competition is part of the game – and everyone plays to win. I’m just so sad to see these acts of stupidity on the field. As skier A.J. Kitt said, “You have no control over what the other guy does. You only have control over what you do.”

Freedom is not Free Slide Show

Freedom is not Free

“Freedom is not Free” … today seems like a perfect day to reflect on this quote – yet it should be realized every day. There are so many things that people take for granted, our freedom is one of the most precious. Take the time to honor veteran.

Originally names Armistice Day during WW I, to honor the end of hostilities of “The Great War: the war to end all wars,” was renamed Veterans Day after WW II. For we all know too well, many wars followed. The Korean War, Vietnam, Gulf War, Afghanistan and Iraq. Service men and now women have fought and continue to fight to defend our freedom. We may not agree with the thoughts of war – but hopefully can all agree to respect these men an women on the ultimate sacrifice that these people have paid or are willing to pay.

Each visit to Washington, DC is never complete without a visit and time of reflection to the war memorials. I’ve included some of the photos that I’ve taken through the visits. I can honestly say, each one, each time, still gives me the chills and a humble feeling.

Take the time to thank and honor a veteran, today or any day. I was sent this video clip a while ago from a friend, and thought it is worthy of sharing – the Gratitude Campaign.

National Parks Service
Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II
World War II Memorial
Korean War Memorial
Vietnam War Memorial
Arlington National Cemetery

My Wish

This week, my daughter Victoria needed to explore a place that she’s never been before for a photography project. She shot a role of film at the RPI Approach and another one at the ‘Black Bridge’ (all you Green Islanders can appreciate and reminisce). The focus of the project was the objects, to see things through the lens that you’ve never seen before, or look at it in angles that you’ve never seen before. Through the course, she hasn’t been able to photograph people.

What would I ever do if I was told, I couldn’t photograph people? Anyone who knows me, knows that my camera is almost a natural extension of my hands. I love photography, and I love being able to capture moments in time. Vacations, sporting events, silly moments, and milestones – they are all saved away in both a digital archive and photo album. When I say I have thousands and thousands of pictures, it is probably an underestimate.

Every year, the senior graduating class at my daughters’ school has a senior photo shoot. For the Class of 2008, I had the honors (and I do consider it an honor) to be the photographer. Don’t be shocked by looking at the photographs, this did indeed have the entire class at the shoot! My daughter graduated with 13 kids in her class, one of which was our exchange student who lived with us. It’s not a normal class size for our school, we normally have a much larger class average of 20!

They selected Lake George, NY, as their location. We set off for there one glorious autumn day – and it really was a perfect day. Goofiness, fun and a lot of laughter and smiles. Some posed, some caught off guard, but probably my favorite day I spent with them. What I saw through the lens that October day was a great group of kids, with enormous hearts. Not perfect by any means, but just a wonderful group. Each with their own unique qualities that were endearing. As I look back on their album, their class song (My Wish by Rascall Flats) becomes the soundtrack in my head.

My wish for each of them is that life becomes all that they want to. For their dreams to stay big, and their worries stay small. And when their out their getting where their getting to, that they know somebody loves them and wants the same thing to. I consider myself blessed to have been part of such a great group of kids.

Give love, and let it come in

"The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in." Morrie Schwartz

Did you ever have one of those really bad or frustrating weeks where you think, My God, can it get any worse? You’re late for work, you had an argument with someone, you burn the meal or your car breaks down? Last week, was just one of those weeks with me, starting with a bit of a battle between my daughter and I, my car broke down over 50 miles from home, and I had to get 5 people home, and then, there were those moments of just stupid frustrations. That hit me all in one day. As one thing led to the next that Sunday, my frustration level grew.

After a long day, I got home flicked on my computer to check messages and Facebook. It was then, that reality hit me with a huge slap in the face. A family that I’ve been friends with all my life had organized, attended, and posted pictures of a neighborhood event that they had for their neighbor, a young boy who has been battling cancer for 3 years. Though you saw a picture perfect day, and smiles ~ by the sheer sight of this poor child, and the notes and messages that were posted, I knew, that the prognosis was the unfathomable. Here I was getting myself worked up over what really was nothing that mattered the next day … and this little boy was battling a disease that the largest and bravest of men and women cannot always win.

I first heard of this boy, Ben, when our family friend’s 5-year old daughter decided to have a lemonade stand last year to raise money for her friend, Ben. That lemonade stand got some pretty awesome press in this article, and in this one, because it raised over $10,000 – that’s not a type-o, that was indeed, over ten thousand dollars. Young Aiva learned at a very young age, what Morrie Schwartz lived, “The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and let it come in.” From all accounts, she loved her very special friend and he loved her too.

This past weekend, my daughter’s college soccer team dedicated their soccer game to an 8-year old boy battling cancer. He wasn’t able to be at the game because he was having a treatment. Fans from both sides willingly bought up bracelets that had been made for this young boy. He isn’t as famous as LiveStrong ~ but ShellStrong’s impact on a team of girls and the fans, was as powerful. None of us sitting in the stands ever want to know what it’s like to have a child take on this battle.

Sadly, Ben lost his battle yesterday afternoon. How can hearing about the tragedy of someone I’ve never met snap me back into the reality of, ‘is this problem that I’m experiencing that terrible? Will it matter tomorrow?’ Not that I didn’t hug my kids tight, but I hugged them a little tighter and wanted to protect them a little more. This horrible disease discriminates against no-one - gender, religion, nationality or age. Show your support – give out your love, and let it come in, it is a beautiful gift.

I do promise to find a brighter and cheerier topic for my next blog.