27 YEARS.

 27 YEARS.

ALMOST HALF MY LIFE.

2/21/22 will be the 27th Anniversary of you leaving and embarking on the heavenly journey you are now on.

27 long years of NOT hearing your voice, NOT visiting you, NOT having your homemade pasta on Christmas Day. NOT walking to DeFazio's to pick you up a loaf of Italian bread for our Sunday meals.

NOT having you make my favorite meal of yours Minestra. Not having your famous Italian cookies Jennettes. There are way too many NOT'S

Since you died I have not had your famous Tomato Soup Cake..........I remember as a child the very first time I tried it and asked what type of cake it was. You said to me just try it without letting me know what it was. I am so glad you did. There is no way I would have ever tried it if I knew it was Tomato soup cake. 

My god did I love that cake.

You have been gone ALMOST HALF MY LIFE.............................DOES NOT SEEM POSSIBLE. 

But unfortunately it is FACT. 

Since you have gone there are six great grandchildren who never got to meet you or be loved by you. But they know who you are and how much you were loved and how much you are missed.

You were the glue that held the family together. 

Through the years since you left your whole generation are now all gone. Now your children have started departing. First with Uncle Anthony. 

Losing Aunt Teresa a few months ago was a tough one. What brings me comfort in her departing was she left surrounded with love having mom and Jen by here bedside as she slipped away. She also left with knowing who everyone was and was not left to suffer.

Now Aunt Maryann will soon join all of you as she is now in hospice waiting to transition.

It will soon be just Uncle Angelo and Mom left.

As your day approaches I just wanted to say THANK YOU for loving me unconditionally and wholeheartedly.

I miss having you no longer here. But, you are with me ALWAYS.

I am happy you have reunited with so many loved ones. I look forward to the day that we all gather for our Sunday meals on the other side.

Sunday dinners in heaven must now be EPIC.

I think of you all the time. I am glad you choose me to love and nurture.

Say hello to everyone. You are all missed.

OUR LOVED ONES ARE WITH US ALWAYS.  JUST LOOK FOR THE SIGNS. THEY ARE THERE TO LET US KNOW. 

With Love,

Joey

KOBE

 KOBE BRYANT.

1-26-20

Today marks the second anniversary of the horrific helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Kobe and his daughter Gianna as well as seven others. 

Kobe Bryant

Gianna Bryant

John Altobelli, Keri Altobelli,Alyssa Altobelli

Christina Mauser

Ara Zobayan

Sarah Chester

Payton Chester

Tragic Day. 

Very sad day in the sports world and Los Angeles losing their guy KOBE.

Sending love to Kobe's family, friends and fans all over the World navigating their lives with the absence of their loved ones. 

Life is short. You never know when you will be chosen. Do not take anything for granted. YOU NEVER KNOW.

LIVE LIFE FULL OUT. DO WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY. DO WHAT FEEDS YOUR SOUL. WE ONLY GET ONE SHOT AT THIS. 

SEEK TO BE HAPPY, JOYFUL AND FREE. 

BE KIND. LOOK AT FOR ONE ANOTHER. BE OF SERVICE TO SELF AND OTHERS. 

SHINE YOU LIGHT, SHARE YOUR GIFTS. 

Living Simply in the Chaos of today's World

 Living simply in the Chaos of today's World.

Island Life 2022

So I closed out 2021 and began 2022 here in Southwest Florida living and working on Useppa Island.

2021 was a year of so much uncertainty in the World.

We are still in a state of uncertainty. I returned to work almost ten months ago after taking thirteen months off. 

I decided while the World was figuring out how to navigate and move forward during a GLOBAL PANDEMIC and what that was going to look like. I rather than stress out and get myself caught up in the CHAOS. 

I would just do me, with the understanding that no one knew what was going to happen and what the outcome would be for any of us.

The world is still faced with much uncertainty as we are now navigating 2022.

The cases are on the rise with everyone having travelled over the holidays. I know more and more people who are now Covid +

Just today spoke with my sister who teaches in a Montessori school in Upstate New York is now sitting in quarantine until Thursday because there are currently five cases in her daughters class with over fifty cases in the school.  My brother and sister-in-law and four of my nieces and nephews have all been diagnosed positive. Thankfully with mild cases. Not everyone's family stories end so well. 

Crazy World right now. 

The lesson that I believe is to come of this is. No matter what happens, LIFE CONTINUES. LIFE WILL GO ON. 

One of the Island members during one of conversations brought up a very good point that put things into perspective. He is almost eighty years old and for him to be locked into quarantine or to isolate is robbing him of VALUABLE TIME. He because of his age is in the final act with limited time. 

In reality all of our time is limited. It does not matter what age you are. TIME IS PRECIOUS.

We must not waste what time we are given on things that do not matter. 

Going through what the world is going through has allowed us plenty of time to sit with self and go inwards to figure out what is important and has also showed us that whatever you may want to do in life. MAKE PLANS AND DO IT. 

THERE ARE NO PROMISES

We must remain alert and respectful and doing what we can to help each other and be considerate of others. We also must remember that are ACTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES and not only affect us but others as well. WE CAN DO BETTER........WE MUST DO BETTER.

So I for the time being am docking myself on this PRIVATE ISLAND and riding out the storm after being out in it for almost two years. 

I feel blessed and very grateful to be living the life I am living and where I am at. Just walks on the island surrounded by an abundance of beauty. I am at peace.

HOPING ALL OF YOU REMAIN SAFE AND MAKE CHOICES WITH EVERYONE IN MIND. NOT JUST SELF. 

In the meantime my plan is to continue to share beauty with you all. Hoping the World will return and we all embrace whatever

the new normal will be. We must be like an owl..........Stay alert and watch out for each other. 

PEACE & LOVE

THANK YOU FOR BEING A FRIEND

THANK YOU FOR BEING A FRIEND.

 SAY IT ISN'T SO. 

So 2021 has come to a close. In the finally hours of 2021 the news broke with the story that BETTY WHITE was DEAD.

How is this even possible? 

I of course did not believe what I had read. I immediately googled Betty White and was seeing news stories that she in fact actually did pass. I was hoping that it was a HOAX. 

Much to my dismay along with everyone else who loved BETTY WHITE we were left with processing and coming to terms with the news that THE GOLDEN GIRL WAS GONE.

Does not seem real. We were gearing up to celebrate her 100th Birthday. January 17, 2022. 

17 days shy of her 100th Birthday.........EVERYONE WAS SO EXCITED. 

Betty White is/was ONE OF THE BEST. COMEDIC GENIUS, HUMANITARIAN, ANIMAL LOVER & JUST A BEAUTIFUL ENERGY That the World has lost. 

The World is less funny now that she is gone. The day the news broke there was a noticeable sadness that you could feel. 

Thank you for making the World a better place by your presence and sharing your gift with us all. I am so grateful that thanks to film and television we will never be without you. 

You may have transitioned on to whatever is NEXT. 

99 YEARS WELL LIVED, AND SO GENEROUS SHARING IT WITH ALL OF US. WHAT A GIFT. 

For me personally you were my go to when I needed to be uplifted. For the longest time it was you and the girls that I laughed myself to sleep with.......BOY DID I LAUGH. 

YOU LADIES WHERE THE BEST. Of course with the news of your passing it is Betty White all over the media........For that I am grateful. 

The sadness I felt when Lucille Ball died is the same sadness I felt/feel with your passing. The night the news broke I watched five hours of The Golden Girls. CLASSIC TV.

Thank you for leaving us with your comedic brilliance. 

EVERYBODY LOVED BETTY WHITE..........Reading all of the condolences coming in all over social media has been so helpful in accepting your passing. 

The respect and admiration that EVERYONE HAS/HAD FOR YOU IS AWE INSPIRING. What an AMAZING LEGACY you have left. 

To be in the industry for 8 plus decades and to remain GRATEFUL AND HUMBLE IS SOMETHING EVERYONE SHOULD STRIVE FOR. 

JUST BEAUTIFUL.

The news is saying that they are going to still air your 100th Birthday Celebration. It will be a CELEBRATION OF THE AMAZING WOMAN AND TALENT THAT YOU ARE. IT WILL BE A CELEBRATION OF LIFE

Aside from you being such a gifted performer and a lover of animals your presence in this world has brought so much joy and laughter to us all. 

WE ARE ALL VERY EXCITED TO CELEBRATE YOU ON JANUARY 17TH.

Someone started #BETTYWHITECHALLENGE

I see it as being an EPIC DAY raising tons of money from your friends and fans all over the world to help out the animal world. 

I think this is such a beautiful way to honor you and show our respect for all that you have done for the animals and the joy that you have given to us. 

You will never be forgotten. 

THANK YOU FOR BEING A FRIEND.

YOUR LIGHT WILL CONTINUE TO SHINE. 

REST IN PEACE 

BETTY WHITE 12/31/21  99 YEARS. A LIFE WELL LIVED. 

ALMOST 2022

 ALMOST 2022. 

Three more days and we will be saying goodbye to 2021.  What a year it has been. 

My year has been NON-STOP.

After not working for thirteen months due to COVID-19. I returned to work in April. 

Just want to keep things real. 

WE ARE STILL IN LIVING WITH COVID. 

Cases are on the rise. 

Some places in the world they are seeing the HIGHEST CASES since the beginning of the PANDEMIC. We are seeing an increase in cases because there has been mixed messages since the very beginning. 

I am convinced that whoever is responsible for the past two years needs more people to die. I believe this was and is  INTENTIONAL. 

With the holidays more and more are turning up positive because of family gatherings and people wanting to get back to some sort of normalcy. People have let their guard down. THIS IS A GLOBAL PANDEMIC yet we are letting cities,states, counties, countries, businesses decide how they are going to handle all of this.  So many people are getting sick and dying unnecessarily. IT IS TRAGIC & PREVENTABLE.

I right now have three family members who are Covid positive and are now sick. 

As of today Worldwide cases are 281 Million that is almost if every single person in America were positive. CRAZY. 

Worldwide deaths is 5.41 Million. That is a lot of people. 

Here is America we are at 52.9 Million with almost 820 Thousand lives lost. In America today they are reporting 543 Thousand new cases.......They are saying by NYE will will be at 1 Million cases a day just here in AMERICA. WTF.

JUST TRYING TO KEEP IT REAL. We are nowhere near the end of this PANDEMIC. 

Through all of this and all the personal loss this year. As of today 12/28 I have personally known/lost 16 people. WOW. 

That being said. What I have taken from all the world's craziness and loss. I have chosen to just continue to live my life. LIFE IS PRECIOUS. TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR ALL OF US. WE MUST LIVE LIFE NOW. THAT IS ALL WE HAVE. 

Take nothing for granted. If anything that I have learned from these CRAZY TIMES. 

Whatever you want to do. DO IT. DO NOT WAIT.  I am hoping and trusting that 2022 will be a better year. So I will continue to do what feeds my soul........That is PHOTOGRAPHY & TRAVEL. 

I need to do both of those things to keep MENTALLY WELL.  LOTS OF SELFCARE. WE MUST TAKE CARE OF OURSELVES AND EACH OTHER.  BE KIND, BE LOVING, BE PRESENT.

Last year I began the year in North Carolina with a friend who is now a former friend. LIFE HAPPENS. It is important to know when relationships become toxic. The older I get it is so much easier to recognize and walk away rather that stay in a bad situation that does not serve your greater good.  

From North Carolina I had to Charleston. I decided to hangout in Charleston for about six weeks. Beautiful city, but like all of the other cities I tried. Unfortunately last year it was difficult to get a feel for any city as a possible new location for me with no city being fully operational. BUMMER. 

I bounced all over the country in search of what was going to be my new homebase. Atlanta was on the shortlist for the simple reason I know a fair amount of friends from LA who are now based in Atlanta, plus if I decided to pursue my acting again there are opportunities in ATLANTA.  My contacts in Atlanta advised me to continue to travel and check back in a year.  That was a year ago this week. WOW.

From Atlanta I made my way north with a stop in York Pennsylvania before heading back to the hometown for what was shy of a month. Which is about my limit being back in the hometown. Always great catching up with everyone. But not where I belong...STILL TRYING TO FIGURE THAT ONE OUT. 

While back visiting I received a call to go back out to Utah to work. I decided to drive cross country YET AGAIN. There was still so much to see and do in Utah. What a gorgeous state. So I accepted a job in Kanab and worked and EXPLORED for six months until the beginning of October when I decided to drive cross country again. The nice thing about this trip was I would being traveling with my good friend Tomas on a cross country trip showing him this beautiful country heading all the way back to New York. 

I picked him up in Vegas where we hung out for a couple days and explored the Whole Strip and Downtown. Was so great having someone to roadtrip with. Everything was a first for Tomas. For me I have made the trip so many times but did manage to have a few firsts myself.

My goal was to catch the change of seasons all the way across the country. It was a SUCCESS.

Vegas, Zion, Moab, Frisco, Denver, Iowa, Chicago, Niagara Falls, Hometown, Vermont, Jersey Shore and NYC.  FANTASTIC TRIP. 

After Tomas left, I stayed for two days before UNPACKING & REPACKING to now head south. So I heading to Shenandoah to finish out the season with them. Got to spend what I believe is the best 5-6 weeks witnessing the change of season.  Beautiful time of year to be there. 

I am now getting ready  to close out 2021 and welcome 2022 back here on Useppa Island. Feels good to be back reconnect with former coworkers and friends and get reacquainted with the homeowners who are just some of the loveliest people that i have met on all of my travels.

I am grateful to have the opportunity to live here and work on a private island. LIFE IS GOOD.

I am hoping that life finds a NEW NORMAL and people can get back to LIVING. 

TIME DOES NOT STOP.  NEITHER CAN YOU. LIVE FULL OUT. 

MUCH LOVE,

WHERE IS JOE? 

STAY TUNED.

HAPPY NEW YEAR. 2022 WILL BE THE YEAR YOU CHOOSE IT TO BE. MAKE IT A GREAT ONE. PEACE & LOVE

LOOK FOR THE LIGHT. IT SHINES EVEN IN THE DARK. 

TRUST. 

TIL DEATH DO US PART

 TIL DEATH DO US PART.

November 13, 2021 was that day.

The end of a beautiful LOVE STORY. 75 PLUS YEARS.

The call came around 5 pm, when mom had to deliver the news that her sister and my aunt and godmother Teresa had passed.

Very difficult loss for the family.

Fortunately I was was back in the area for a short visit before heading to both Virginia and Florida for my next jobs.

I am so GRATEFUL that I was able to get a few visits in with Aunt Teresa and Uncle John. 

What turns out to have been my final visit was a great day spent with mom, uncle Ang at the house. 

It really was such a nice visit. A GOOD DAY.

Upon leaving and saying goodbye, in the back of my mind I was thinking that it was more than likely be my last time seeing them alive. SAD.

When I left I gave Aunt Teresa a hug and a kiss. I told her I loved her and would see her again soon. 

She said the same.  Unfortunately that would not be the case.

The day I left, she fell and within three weeks she would be gone. Very hard to be away and get that call. 

Mom and my sister Jennifer were by her side while she took her last breath. 

From being with my grandmother while she took her last breath I know what and honor it is to be allowed to be present for a loved ones transition. What a GIFT for both parties. 

A few days before transitioning Aunt Teresa kept saying she was seeing and talking to momma. Her and my mother's mother and my grandmother.

I said to my mother that it was my grandmother who was there letting my Aunt know that all would be ok and she could let go. My grandmother was there to reunite my Aunt with all of our family members who have gone before us.

Aunt Teresa has for the past six plus years been taking care of Uncle John who has been bedridden with lyme disease.

75 PLUS YEARS. IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH TIL DEATH DO US PART.

They survived the loss of two of their three sons. 

I believe the final act in their love story was for Uncle John to hold on long enough so Aunt Teresa would not have to suffer the loss of yet another loved one.

SAD YET BEAUTIFUL.

Honestly I am surprised Uncle John is still hanging on at 98 years old. 

The two of the m will be sorely missed. Uncle John I know that you are more than ready. I wish you a peaceful transition when the time comes.

Please give Aunt Teresa a big hug and a kiss from me. 

Aunt Teresa was my godmother. We are very similar in a lot of ways. We are both sensitive artists who care for others. Sometimes to deeply.

Mom got to be there and take care of her sister and was gifted quality time,precious moments that are often missed because life is so busy.

They gave each other a GIFT. This was a gift you can not put a price on. JUST PRICELESS. 

I know that you are reacquainted with the family. That brings me comfort. 

I also find comfort that we did not have to witness you failing to the point where you did not remember anyone. Thank you for that gift.

REST WELL. I LOVE YOU. WE ALL MISS YOU.

Teresa Zullo 11/13/21

Your sun has set for the final time. You will always shine in all the lives you have touched. 

ENDINGS & more GOODBYES.

 ENDINGS & more GOODBYES.

So 2021 is rapidly coming to a CLOSE. Oh boy what a year it has been.

GROWTH, LESSONS, ACCEPTANCE & SURRENDER.

After wrapping 2020 which was NO EASY TASK. with the appearance and devastation of navigating the World during a GLOBAL PANDEMIC.

The whole world was left with the uncertainty of what this was and how we would move forward & SURVIVE.

MANY DID NOT. What is so unfortunate about that was it was so UNNECESSARY & TOTALLY AVOIDABLE.

LIES & WRONG ACTION CAUSED MANY FAMILIES TO BE WITH THEIR LOVED ONES DURING THIS TIME. 

FOREVER GONE. Many got no closure. This pandemic has changed our lives FOREVER & how we move forward is a day to day learning process.

Mask & Vaccine mandates have and are being put in place. Companies are firing employees in record  numbers. 

Business are closing that have not been able to survive these CRAZY TIMES with MIXED MESSAGING.

Industries are being DEVASTATED.

New variants are are appearing regularly with new CHALLENGES.

Cases in some parts of the World are the HIGHEST they have been since the beginning of this WORLD ALTERING EVENT.

I was recently speaking to someone, who through our conversation referred to the pandemic as THE PLANDEMIC. First time I have heard it called that. I FEEL THE SAME.

I believe this was intentionally put into the world for POPULATION CONTROL.

The numbers currently as of this entry are 

268 MILLION CASES WORLD WIDE -5.28 MILLION DEATHS

49.5 MILLION CASES USA-792 THOUSAND DEATHS

That is A LOT OF BEAUTIFUL BEINGS NO LONGER HERE. IT IS SAD.

 I know many who have been diagnosed and battling and  a number who have not survived.

I think more than THE PLANDEMIC

 What the number one killer during this time is, FEAR & IGNORANCE. The level of STUPIDITY that exits in the World is MIND BOGGLING.

I hope as we move into the new year people WAKE UP. 

My wish for everyone is to become ENLIGHTENED.

This year has been a year of SO MUCH LOSS.  At the time of this writing for me personally 14. 

The past five weeks there have been 6 family,friends and co-workers who have passed.  Wishing you all beautiful new adventures. 

See you all on the other side.

Mark, Vesta, Mr, Lintinsky, Mr, Yager, Mr Shoemaker, & My Godmother Aunt Teresa

Sending my condolences to all of your loved ones....REST WELL.

I am a lover of trees.....They represent strength and growth which during these uncertain time there is definitely room to realize how STRONG WE ARE. Also in the dark of night which seems to be what these challenging time are there is ALWAYS LIGHT. It may be dim at times but it will again shine bright. WE MUST BELIEVE & TRUST. 

SUCCESS

 SUCCESS.

What is success? Success looks different to different people. 

Throughout my life and travels I was privileged to meet, be in the company of and work with and for folks from all walks of life who would describe success differently.

I for a number of years now have worked in the seasonal world. After spending the better part of a quarter century living in Los Angeles to pursue the dream of making it in Hollywood.

It 2009 I was just DONE. I was ready for something NEW & DIFFERENT.

I knew that I took the leap of faith that I would be opening myself up to what exactly I was not sure. Saying that though I knew that there was a big and beautiful World that I wanted to EXPLORE.

Since leaving Los Angeles in 2009 my life has been quite an ADVENTURE.

Good, Bad, Beautiful, Ugly and everything in between. OBSTACLES,CHALLENGES,LOSS lots of LOSS  and TRIUMPHS 

It has been a life. MY LIFE. 

I have been a NOMAD now for almost twelve years. In 2015 I was introduced to WORK/TRAVEL.

I bounced across the country more times than I can count. I have just entered my sixth year. Just this week in three days I am wrapping up another gig. 

ANYONE WHO KNOW ME KNOWS THAT I LOVE TO TRAVEL. Well I found a way to both WORK AND TRAVEL. 

If only I had found this way of living when I was younger. 

I am BLESSED. I basically travel and work all of the country in places where people go for vacation. 

Me being a photographer. This has afforded me the time and resources to see and photograph the ABUNDANT BEAUTY that we as humans are so lucky to be able to visit for the short visit that we are here for. 

What a GIFT.

As I continue on my journey and age, my life has taken on a whole new way of BEING & EXISTING.

I never was one who was motivated by financial wealth that affords people the ability to have THINGS.

I am not a thing guy.

One of the places that I landed was a private club in Florida. EXTREME WEALTH.

HOMES,YACHTS,PRIVATE JETS, PRIVATE BEACHES.

I was there for less than a week. IT WAS NOT FOR ME. 

PRIVATE COMMUNITY - WE ARE SPECIAL.

That type of wealth is very off-putting to me.  Folks oblivious to what is going on outside of THEIR WORLD.

I personally was beyond disturbed by ALL OF IT.  To many who live in this PRIVATE COMMUNITY this is how they define SUCCESS. 

By definition this is SUCCESS. 

There are so many people in the world SUFFERING. I personally would not feel good about living in such LUXURY and with such EXCESS.

That is just me. TO EACH IS OWN.

I through the years have defined SUCCESS FOR ME. 

I happily feel like I have achieved SUCCESS IN MY LIFE. 

I never wanted a title after my name. I find SUCCESS IN THE FREEDOM MY LIFE ALLOWS ME TO HAVE AS I CONTINUE ON THIS JOURNEY.

Life is a beautiful journey we are here to be of service to SELF & OTHERS.

YOU DECIDE WHAT SUCCESS IS TO YOU. IT IS A PROCESS. 

Peace and Blessings to you as you DISCOVER and WALK YOUR PATH TO YOUR SUCCESS.

FOLLOW YOUR PATH.

A NEW JOURNEY BEGINS......WELCOME HOME GABBY

 WELCOME HOME. 

So this month all over the news was the search for GABBY PETITO.

Gabby was on a cross country road trip with her boyfriend seeing the beautiful country that so many never take the time to see. 

She was reported missing after regular communication and social media update with her family stopped after August 25th.  

The next few texts that the received, they said did not sound like they had come from Gabby.  

The family filed a missing person's report on September 11th. A search began and there were many, many tips coming in through social media which wound up be a great help in the search. 

Gabby's boyfriend returned to Florida without her, but with her van. So left her somewhere along the trip. For awhile he was not a person of interest. I NEVER UNDERSTOOD THE REASONING BEHIND THAT. 

He has refused to speak with the authorities and his family has secured an attorney. WHY????

I am just going to say INNOCENT PEOPLE DO NOT WORK SO HARD TO PROVE THEIR INNOCENCE. 

As of yesterday September 19th due to the numerous tips remains have been located which have been confirmed to be those of GABBY. 

THIS IS VERY SAD AND TRAGIC.

Everyone was holding out hope for a HAPPY HOMECOMING. 

Her boyfriend is now not only a PERSON OF INTEREST, but is now also a MISSING PERSON. 

This story has been in the news for the past few weeks and has grabbed the attention of so many hoping and praying she would be found and return home SAFE.

We collectively mourn with Gabby's family, friends and loved ones whose lives will never be the same as they process their loss and mourn their loved one. My heart goes out to everyone as they may be asking Why?

I hope in time they find peace as the heal. Although Gabby has embarked on what I believe to be the most epic travel adventures. 

I hope the family in time will be comforted by the fact Gabby was out there LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST. She was courageous enough to step outside the box and say YES to a LIFE OF ADVENTURE. Because of her COURAGE she was GIFTED these beautiful memories and a life of JOY and FREEDOM she was living. 

She was seeing the most beautiful scenery and locations that the United States has to offer. Witnessing sunrises and sunsets. . 

She was making LIVING  & MAKING MEMORIES with her boyfriend. 

They truly were living life and seemingly looked happy until what we all witnessed during the search for her.

If you scroll their instagram posts they were LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST. Plus they were very conscious and protective of this BEAUTIFUL & FRAGILE PLANET WE ALL LIVE ON.

All of those beautiful images and memories she was creating for herself.  My wish for her loved ones are now while you process this horrible loss they all have suffered. I hope they will in time find comfort in the GIFTS she has left for you all. SHE WAS OUT THERE LIVING.

That was a gift that she obviously understood at such a young age. GABBY HAD AN UNDERSTANDING & COURAGE that so many lack in life and never realize.  She stepped outside of her comfort zone and was witness to so many beautiful gifts in life. 

Peace to all of those who loved GABBY. 

Celebrate Gabby's Life & her ZEST FOR LIVING. 

FLY HIGH GABBY. PEACE.

I know your road forward is going to be difficult and filled with sadness. I am so sorry Gabby was taken from you well before her time and the FULL LIFE THAT SHE WAS BOUND TO HAVE. 

This morning on was on my morning walk and these are the images that I was able to capture. It was the most beautiful beginning of another day. I am a big believer in signs and signals so these images are titled. 

WELCOME HOME GABBY.  These are pretty spectacular ANGEL WINGS. Your beautiful baby girl is now your forever ANGEL.

TREASURE YOUR MEMORIES. 

20 YEARS.

 20 Years ago TODAY. 

September 11, 2001. 

The United States and the WORLD was shook to its core as the United States was under ATTACK. In the DEADLIEST, TERRORIST in WORLD HISTORY.

If you are of a certain age we all could remember where we were on this  DARK, DARK DAY. The irony is that if you speak with anyone who witnessed this attack on humanity and our freedom. 

Most describe it as being a crystal clear day in NYC with the most beautiful blue skies. Not a cloud in the sky. A very calm and peaceful beautiful September Day.

UNTIL IT WAS NOT.

I like so many were going about our day when someone alerted us to turn our televisions on WE WERE UNDER ATTACK. I rushed to turn on the TV and like millions around the world were in utter shock at what we were seeing trying to understand just what we were looking at. NOt really understanding what was going on until I sat HORRIFIED watching another plane hit the other tower. 

Sitting here writing this the tears are flowing 20 YEARS LATER.

Heartbreaking does not even describe the pain I was feeling collectively as a citizen of the world.

I was having such a hard time wrapping my head around this type of EVIL exists in the World. 

Globally we were mourning for a way of life that was stripped away, and would NEVER BE THE SAME.

To all of those BEAUTIFUL LIVES who woke for for the very LAST TIME to go to work , kiss their loved ones to have their lives snuffed out to to HATE. Globally our heart was SHATTERED INTO A MILLION LITTLE PIECES. Allies from around the World mourned with us. 

Although we did see images from around the world of those who were responsible, they could be seen dancing and celebrating in the streets. SICK, SICK, SICK!

Everyone was glued to their tv sets as things were unfolding. We were witnessing in REAL TIME unspeakable horror, as well as bravery as loved ones who were trapped knowing they were not going to be rescued call their loved ones to SAY GOODBYE. 

Some choose to leap to their deaths rather than burn. Many groups made that choice. I CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE.

Firefighters and rescue works rushed into the building risking their lives to save others. Many paid with their lives.

HEREO, HEREO, HEREO

My heart still hurts. THAT DAY CHANGED THE WORLD FOREVER. 

After being witness to ULTIMATE HATE. We as citizens came together in LOVE to mourn and honor what was lost. WE GOT TO SEE THE WORST AND BEST IN HUMANITY IN THE WAKE OF THIS TRAGEDY.

The love that we were shown from all over the world was so beautiful to witness and be a part of.  The statistics from that day, like the day itself is important to REMEMBER & NEVER FORGET.

2977 PEOPLE KILLED. 6000 INJURED

19 HIJACKERS COMMITTED MURDER-SUICIDE 

IMMEDIATE DEATH 265 on the planes including terrorist.

2606 in the World Trade Center and surrounding areas

125 at the Pentagon.

2605 US CITIZENS 372 NON US CITIZENS 90 COUNTRIES LOST CITIZENS

344 FIREFIGHTERS 71 LAW OFFICERS

The death toll continues to RISE.

1140 PEOPLE WHO WORKED OR WENT TO SCHOOL WERE DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER.

1400 PLUS RESCUE WORKERS HAVE DIED.

20 YEARS LATER 1100 STILL UNIDENTIFIED THAT IS 40% of the CASUALTIES from the DAY.

DOROTHY MORGAN WAS THE LATEST PERSON IDENTIFIED JUST LAST MONTH. Dorothy's family twenty years later FINALLY GET SOME CLOSURE.  WOW. 

As we are all aware just shy of the 20 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THIS DARK DAY IN WORLD HISTORY we have ended the war in AFGHANISTAN. 

So with the number of those lost due to this war the PRICE HAS BEEN SO HIGH. The loss of life has been enormous. We were in war for 20 years,

4096 AMERICANS CIVILIANS AND SOLDIERS KILLED

2461 SOLDIERS KILLED 

47,245 CIVILIANS 69,000 AFGHAN MILITARY 51,000 TALIBAN FIGHTERS

NEEDLESS TO SAY THE LOSS OF HUMAN LIFE HAS BEEN HUGE.

My thoughts are with all of us as we REMEM

BER & NEVER FORGET THIS DAY IN WORLD HISTORY. 

My hometown was directly affected by 9/11 with my high school principal losing his son John Armand Reo and his son in law. 

Also the Aversano family losing their dad Louis f. Aversano Jr. 

SENDING LOVE TO ALL. WE CAN DO BETTER. WE MUST DO BETTER. 

LOVE WINS OVER HATE. 

ALL THOSE LOST ON 9/11 LISTED HERE. WE MOURN STILL FOR WHAT WAS LOST.

A NEW WAVE.

 A NEW WAVE. 

So here we are 18 months into a GLOBAL PANDEMIC. We are on our third or fourth WAVE with the Delta Variant now sweeping across the World. 

The number of cases and deaths in some states are the HIGHEST they have been throughout the whole pandemic.

I am completely perplexed at the incompetence and misinformation in handling this pandemic with last administration.

We are now heading into the fall season with these numbers.

217  MILLION CASES WORLDWIDE

4.51 MILLION DEATHS

40 MILLION CASES HERE IN THE UNITED STATES

650 THOUSAND DEATHS

These numbers are on the rise. 

The numbers that I heard yesterday that we are now around 150,000 NEW CASES A DAY.

Many hospitals have no ICU Beds available..........This pandemic has spread like wildfire due to all of the lies from the last administration.

What makes no sense to me is the administration is killing off it's base. Does not sound very smart to me. 

I am really hoping more people wake up to the fact that so many have lost their lives unnecessarily. 

I was watching a news story regarding a healthcare worker who is an Anti-Vaxxer who lost their own child who still is refusing to be vaccinated.  High price to pay for IGNORANCE. 

I am a spiritual person. I was raised Catholic. I do not believe in any organized religion which was written by man and each and every religion is biased. Just my thoughts and beliefs. 

I really hope more people WAKE UP AND START TO THINK FOR THEMSELVES. 

People are placing their trust in all the wrong people and ideals. 

Realize that you are here for a very short period of time in the big scheme of things. 

LIVE YOUR LIFE FOR YOU. SEEK WHAT BRINGS YOU JOY. BE OF SERVICE. 

LIFE IS VERY SHORT. 4.5 MILLION PEOPLE WHO WERE ON THIS EARTH 18 MONTHS AGAIN ARE GONE. 

THEIR STORY HAS ENDED. 

You are still here. Continue to create and live your story while you have time. 

BE SMART, BE CONSIDERATE,BE LOVING, BE KIND. Don't trust those you may think care about you.

THEY DON'T. 

TAKE BACK YOUR POWER. DO NOT LIVE IN FEAR. 

I WISH YOU ALL JOY AND HAPPINESS. 

SPENCER FLY HIGH BUDDY. I HOPE YOU JOURNEY IS FILLED ONLY WITH LIGHT.