GIVING THANKS

THANKSGIVING THE HOLIDAY HAS COME AND GONE.

This Holiday has been different than most. This holiday season I was going home to spend with family, and to see friends.

Unfortunately seeing friends from years gone by was not going to be a happy occasion.

TROY HIGH CLASS OF 1984 suffered the loss of a classmate.
45 years old and stricken with breast cancer. Her struggle came to an end on the eve of Thanksgiving.

I thought at first what a cruel joke. What does my friend who now has to bury his wife and her children who now have to bury their mom have to be thankful for.

Upon some reflection the answer I came up with was that they were blessed with a wonderful mom and my friend a fantastic, loving wife. And also that they no longer had to watch their loved one suffer.

DEATH IS NEVER EASY.

My friend fought to the end and died with dignity for her valiant fight.
SHE IS NOW RESTING IN PEACE.

THE SERVICE AND FUNERAL WAS BOTH DIFFICULT AND BEAUTIFUL AT THE SAME TIME.

To see how this woman touched so many lives and was of service to our children to help the to create a vision for a better future.

That was her GIFT.

I said to a buddy of mine at the funeral that it does not seem possible that we are watching a friend bury his wife. It seem like just yesterday we were setting out to begin our lives and pursue our dreams.

THE BEAUTIFUL THING ABOUT DEATH IT HAS AWAY OF BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER.
Some of these friends I have not seen in 25 plus years.

So I am grateful that my friend through her death were able to bring friends back together that could celebrate her life.

Thank you.

WE must remember that LIFE is TERMINAL.

When we realize that we will than LIVE FULLY.

This photo is titled LINDA'S LIGHT for my friend who just transitioned.
My the next part of your journey be amazing...GOD BLESS

FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS AND PASSIONS.

More Goodbyes

Yet another Goodbye.

Speaking to a friend she said to me that we are at the age where goodbyes are going to become more common.  Does not seem possible.

I MEAN WE ARE ONLY 45.

That is young, or so I was led to believe.

As I returned from Upstate New York where I was helping my buddy with his two young sons. The one who lost both his wife and child during childbirth just six weeks ago.

I received an email telling me that yet another friend is losing his wife as well. At this point it is just a matter of time.

These are both childhood friends.
This friends cancer has returned and is now nearing the end of her fight.

TO YOUNG TO DIE....TO YOUNG TO HAVE TO SAY GOODBYE.

So much loss in my friends and my life over the past three months.  This is the third friend who is getting ready to transition. None of them were or are old. All under 50 YEARS OLD.

There is a lesson in all of this loss.......What I get from all this loss is there are
NO GUARANTES.
WE MUST LIVE OUR LIVES FULLY AND NOT WAIT.

LIFE IS SO PRECIOUS........IT IS ABOUT NOW.

I am hoping my friends, their families and myself can find some sort of peace an comfort in the fact that these three friends shared their lives with us, and we are all better people for knowing and having them in our lives.

They are all on a wonderful new adventure.

GOD BLESS THEM ALL.

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING A PART OF MY LIFE.

UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN.

FATHER'S LOVE

This week I had the opportunity to travel to upstate New York.
The reason for my trip was to go and assist and help my friend in anyway that I could.

Six weeks ago my friend suffered the devastating loss of both his wife and newborn son during childbirth.
My friend is now left to pick up the pieces of his life and to father their young twin boys.

All of his friends including myself were saying to each other how is he going to do this.  We could not even begin to understand.

Well this week I got to be there and witness exactly how he is doing it.
I was witness to COURAGE, LOVE, PATIENCE, STRENGTH. They are just a few of the qualities that I got to see at work as my friend tries to work through his grief.

He is completely devastated by the loss of half his family.
But he gets up everyday and tries to create a new normal for he and his boys.

The three days I spent were a roller coaster of emotions as we talked and cried, took the kids to the park went shopping and just worked at getting through another day.

I am not going to lie or sugar coat things my friend has his worked cut out for him.
But he will get through with the HELP and LOVE of friend and family.

LET US FRIENDS NOT FORGET.
PLEASE CHECK IN ON HIM REGULARLY.

Thank God he has his little boys.......They will keep him present and in the NOW.
They will help him find the strength that he is questioning he has right now.

I am very grateful that I was able to be of service to my friend.

I RESPECT AND AM AMAZED BY HIS STRENGTH AND COURAGE.
I AM HONORED TO CALL HIM A FRIEND.
HE HAS A BEAUTIFUL SOUL AND IS SO COMPASSIONATE AND KIND.

LIGHT AND LOVE AS YOU MOVE ORWARD ON YOUR JOURNEY MY FRIEND.
YOU TRULY ARE AN INSPIRATION.

In my thoughts always. CR and the boys C & N.

This is a reminder that sometimes life is dark but the LIGHT will SHINE again.

REINVENTION OF SELF

REINVENTION OF SELF.

Some days I ask myself WHY???????????????????????????????????????

My life in Los Angeles was very comfortable. I carved a life out for myself that people envied.
I lived there for almost twenty-three years and never had to have a full time job to be comfortable.
There were years that were easier than others.

But for the most part I was able to live there the only way I knew how.

I decided that my soul was yearning for territories untouched and adventures  yet explored.

So I decided to take a LEAP of FAITH.

I have been on an  AMAZING journey.

Full of Travel and Adventure.   I decided to live without FEAR and with PASSION.

I am pursuing a new career path in a new town.

HARD WORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  But so worth it even though some days I question my decision for a split second about playing small and safe.  NOT FOR ME.

My mom always says things take time.  That is where my frustration comes in.
I have never been a PATIENT PERSON.

A lesson I am now learning.  Things take time...Sometimes A LOT OF TIME.

I need to stop an BREATHE.   I have tended to my crops. I now have to wait for the HARVEST.
I SURE HOPE IT IS A GOOD ONE.

I know it will be.  THE GIFT that I have given myself is the gift of creativity and FREEDOM.

I AM A PHOTOGRAPHER FOR HIRE LOOKING FOR AMAZING PROJECT AND BEAUTY TO CAPTURE.

I Wish everyone can get out of their own way and listen to the VOICES within.

PAY ATTENTION.......THEY CAN SET YOU FREE.

I read a quote today from Anthony Robbins.

When it looks impossible and you are ready to quit.  VICTORY is NEAR.