When I was a kid, there was a Life Cereal commercial with a cute little boy named Mikey. In the commercial he is at the kitchen table with his brothers who won't eat the Life Cereal, "because it's supposed to be good for you". The brothers pass the bowl over to Mikey, assuming he won't eat it because, "he hates everything". Mikey surprises his brothers and eats the cereal, and they say to him, "he likes it, hey Mikey!"

Years later, when Mikey became a teenager, an urban legend arose that Mikey died. The cause of Mikey's death was that his stomach exploded because he ate Pop Rocks and washed them down with soda...SILLY!!!

Grateful for my physical health

Grateful for my mental health (working through some things in therapy)

Grateful for my family

Grateful for my friends

Grateful for my job

Grateful for my successes

Grateful for my failures

Grateful for my joy

Grateful for my sadness

Grateful for my shortcomings

Grateful for my strengths

Mostly, I'm grateful for life, because it's my life...and it is grand!

I don't bestow the title of "friend" upon just anyone. To me it is a precious gift...a gift that I give and a gift that I need to be given. I have a very small circle of friends, but the friends I have are my chosen family...my inner circle...my urban tribe. I cherish them dearly and would do anything for them.

I am so fortunate to have found these incredible people, who have joined me on my life's journey. All of them are many different things to me, but most importantly they are loyal. I think loyalty is the cornerstone of friendship. It is the number one expression of friendship that makes me feel safe and secure to be myself, and to truly let people in to see the real me...deep, down inside, and don't judge me when I express my true self.

I am a very loyal person myself...loyal to a fault, and I give to my friends that very same precious gift of loyalty. To me that is so important to give and receive as a friend. I know that my choices in friends has completely changed and enriched my life, and for that I am so fortunate and blessed.

To let you in on a little secret, they feel the same way about me, which truly makes life grand!

As we all are, I am on a journey, that is my life. Some days I feel really good and other days I do not. Today is an "I feel really good day". I am turning 60 soon, and I am constantly learning more and more about myself.

I am learning to understand that some of my "negative qualities", which are part of me, have very positive effects that have helped me in many experiences in my life. That knowledge brings me to today's "I feel really good today" day.

I "feel really good today", because I am loving my job again. I recognize that I have been very successful in my life. I realize that anything I set my mind to, I can achieve. I understand that my my personality and my qualities have allowed me to successfully make things happen. Although I have endured very difficult times and dark days in my life, my strength and tenacity has directed my journey, thus allowing me to persevere through them, and come to an understanding and the courage to move on.

I "feel really good today", because have a wonderful family and great and loyal friends. I am fortunate that the people in my life are so supportive, understanding, and always encouraging. I am so lucky to have shared the best times of my life with these extraordinary people. I know very well that I could not travel through the journey of my life without my family and friends, and I thank God for them.

Although life has its ups and downs, right now I'm in an "up" phase. I am riding that wave and relishing it, since we all know that life can throw out a curve ball and change my journey on a dime. For today, I feel really good today!

I know it's been sixteen years since your passing, but the pain is always there. The pain of missing you. The pain of not being able to just pick up the phone and calling you just to say hi. The pain of not having my advisor when I need advice or someone to just say that I'm making the right decision. The pain of not hearing your voice, seeing your face, or hearing your laugh. The pain of loving you and you not being there. The pain of not being able to honor you and celebrate you on this special day...the pain of not having my mother.

Happy Mother's Day to the best mother in the world. I miss and love you so much.