I had another blog to post today, but I am to emotional and need to share, with you, my friends and family. We have just left San Diego after a full week of cramming every minute with special visits with our wonderful friends and family. I'm exhausted, elated, sad, happy, excited, afraid, proud, angry, confused, eager, and numb.
It was so great to see so many of our friends, to hear first hand all the news and successes and get all the hugs in person. One of our friends has lost over 90 pounds and is model beautiful. She just beams with her new self confidence. Another is managing her life with the loss of her husband of many, many years and fulfilling a life long dream of going to Africa and then later this year to China. One friend has adopted her two little nephews (ages 4 & 6) at an age (in her 50's) when most are looking toward their retirement, not starting the responsibility of a family. I am so proud and happy for these ladies who have had major challenges and have risen to the top and are beautiful winners all!
It was so great to see so many of my (ex?) co-workers and how successful everything is going, personally and with the Zoo as well. No surprises there though! I was able to spend some time with a friend who is getting ready to join the "retirement club" and learned about another one doing the same. The first one is going back to her "first love" of writing and has promised me a signed copy of her book when it's published, how great is that? She has ignited a fire in me. She wasn't the only to encourage me in that area, and that meant a lot to me; it touched me greatly to get such sweet feedback, thank you.
Spending time with my family was very special. Even when we lived in the same town we didn't see each other enough. As many of you know, my brother is fighting a loosing battle with cancer, so time with him is precious. He is my "big brother", the one who was always there for me, teaching me how to dance, how to catch frogs and with no mom around, even how to curl my hair! He was my protector and my night in shining armor. He would get up early and take me to the Easter sunrise services I wanted, and I would get up early and help him fold his newspapers for his route. I don't remember ever fighting with him, but I do remember him tickling me until I wet my pants! He is the best brother a girl could ever ask for. Everyone should be so lucky.
We are back out in the desert for a few days before we go help a dear friend celebrate her 60th birthday and then we are off and on our way to continue our adventure! I think this will be an interesting year...as always, thanks for coming along with us...
...kicking back in Indio Ca, Marie
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