Camp Connelly

Our dear friends invited us to spend the weekend at their lakefront cottage in Falmouth, ME.   J ran with bare feet for nearly the entire weekend - in and out of the water, climbing up rocks, making "animal soup", roasting marshmellows and playing Ninjago's with his friends (one new and one old).  The adults BBQ'd, sat on the dock, laid on the sleeping porch - a screened in porch with an exceptionally comfortable twin bed just right for a middle of the day rest...life goal! , played board games, sat by the fire and commented on how wonderful life really is. 

Summer 2019, the magic has begun.....

Huttopia

If I'm being perfectly honest, we stumbled upon Huttopia when I accidentally made a reservation somewhere else for the wrong date and we found ourselves already in NH!   Thank God for phones and internet, we were able to find a vacancy at Huttopia and went there on a whim.

It was a fantastic "glamping" experience in the White Mountains.  It was just S and I but I plan to go back with J in tow as it looked like a wonderful place for families, too.   Our lakeside hut was well equipped with a comfortable bed, small bathroom, mini fridge, pots and pans, a deck, a firepit, etc.  All the necessities for a proper camp outing without having too lug too much or sleep on the ground.

On Saturday, we canoed on a pristine White Mountain lake and heated our BBQ over the fire and on Sunday we hiked Piper Loop.  It was a great trip and I look forward to returning!

“Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is a necessity” - John Muir   

Elizabeth Gilbert - Live @ Memorial Church

Last night I had the pleasure to see one of my favorite author's, often quoted throughout this blog, speak live.  She was touring her new book and gave us a bit of an overview on how the book came to be as well as read the first chapter aloud.   After that she answered questions from the audience for about an hour.  I was so impressed with her wit, her articulation, her thoughtfulness and her humble attitude.  Like me, she's a devout believer in something bigger than this human experience.  She did not insist but was steadfast in her faith. 

She had a lot of brilliant things to say including the importance of her eccentric 4th grade teacher, her fond childhood memories of her family's roaring holiday conversations (do we censor what kids hear more than we should?) a dollhouse that kept her and her sister occupied for years, reminding me of my Fisher Price people.  But my favorite anecdote was what she had to say about grief.  She lost her partner to pancreatic cancer and she has publicly shared the grief that engulfed her.  As a practice, she reads the Book of Job in the Bible nearly every morning.  I'm not much a student of the Bible but I appreciated this story.  In the Old Testament Job questions God, does not understand suffering, wants an explanation...  God responds, "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the Earth?  ....Have you commanded the morning since your days began, and caused the dawn to know its place.."  on and on it goes.   The parable is a humbling reminder of our smallness and humility.   Surrendering to the mystery is one of my most dear spiritual practices.

I was lucky enough to spend it with great company; which multiplies the joy of an already wonderful life affirming evening. 

  

A friend

I've been blessed with some truly amazing friendships in my life.  I am friends with many people that I met in first grade, when I look at J it is amazing to me that so many of my lifelong friendships have been going since his age!   We have gone through so many life changes together - growing up, going away to college, marriages, jobs, illness, divorces, children of our own.  My friends are genuine and they are as imperfect as I am but over the past few years when the rollercoaster of life began to truly wobble, I have been comforted by the truth, loyalty and sincerity that sustains these relationships.

When my dad passed away, one of my dearest friends, Sarah - I'm waving to you!!, flew from California to Boston to be with me for the services and the weekend.  In the days leading up to the funeral, another friend mentioned that she was coming in.  I said - no, no! that is really not necessary!- and we looked at each other and knowingly said, "but of course she's coming."  Not only was she at the wake and funeral, but the night of the funeral I was able to spend time at a friend's house drinking wine, in our sweats, in grief but surrounded by love and comfort. I couldn't have asked for a better place to be that night.

Sarah has one of the hugest hearts of any person that I know.   To know her is to love her.  She would give anything for her friends, her family or really - anybody who needed her.  She is the most steadfast and loyal friend imaginable and I trust her with every ounce of who I am.  ....we also have had some of the most fun and funniest memories over the years!    Sarah's journey hasn't been simple - she lost her own father 15 years ago, she defeated cancer and has managed a cross-country relocation.   If these years have taught me anything it's that sometimes we need to face the hardships of life to understand our potential, our strength and the depths of relationships that surround us.  Through divorce and now death, I have been the lucky recipient of Sarah's greatness.   Sometimes we are sent special angels and they love us unconditionally through life.   We are given the privilege and honor of loving them, too.

A case for water drinking

Every exercise plan includes "drink water".   Historically, never my strength maybe this scientific argument will be the reminder I need:

After drinking approximately 17 ounces of water, the subjects' metabolic rates -- or the rate at which calories are burned -- increased by 30% for both men and women. The increases occurred within 10 minutes of water consumption and reached a maximum after about 30 to 40 minutes.

The study also showed that the increase in metabolic rate differed in men and women. In men, burning more fat fueled the increase in metabolism, whereas in women, an increased breakdown of carbohydrates caused the increase in metabolism seen.

The researchers estimate that over the course of a year, a person who increases his water consumption by 1.5 liters a day would burn an extra 17,400 calories, for a weight loss of approximately five pounds. They note that up to 40% of the increase in calorie burning is caused by the body's attempt to heat the ingested water. The findings are reported in the December issue of The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.

Kindergarten Graduation

That's a wrap, my little Joe!   You finished Kindergarten last week!    You had a fantastic year - you learned to write so well and started doing math and made lots of nice friends.   Best of all, your teacher gave you an award for "best attitude".   Nothing is more important that that and I couldn't be more proud of my happy, kind, joyous little boy!

We had so much fun celebrating you all week and now we look forward to another fun summer!  Time is going fast but we're enjoying it all.   There's nobody I'd rather be on this ride with than you - I am the proudest mama!!!

Last year you were nervous for your performance.  This year, pure excitement! 

We're off to 1st GRADE!!!!

Wonderful Mrs. Mayo

Idol

My dad idolized Warren Buffet.   I believe he first started following him in the early 80's - when my brother's baseball team traveled to the Little League World Series in 1986 he was recommending all the parents invest in Berkshire Hathaway.  One did, a dentist from town, needless to say - he's made more from that decision than an entire lifetime of dentistry!

My dad traveled to Omaha, NE often for the annual meetings.  Over time, as Buffet's popularity rose the Annual Meetings grew from intimate conversations to 20,000+ people conventions all the while, my dad - a small business owner from a humble family - felt no hesitation in his attendance at those meetings.  There were a million reasons one could have to not go, but he didn't let that stop him.  He went - 1) because he loved his investing advice 2) because he wanted to go.  A lesson from my dad - be unapologetically yourself.  You have every right and every reason to live your life as you'd like to live it.   My dad, despite a list full of handicaps, exuded confidence.  Not because he was arrogant or boastful, but because he was sure of himself.  He was well read and articulate and although mostly self taught, he was a lifelong learner.   Curious and insatiable, a beautiful mind.

        Once quoted and indexed by a biographer writing about Warren Buffett.   Not bad, dad! :) 

In the hospital

When my dad passed away, we were in Florida.  My mom, my sister, her husband, my father's sister,  Joseph and my nieces.  It was truly amazing that we were all there as we're hardly ever all together.  We arrived at the hospital around noon on Friday and he passed around 7pm on Saturday night.  I won't forget those days.  To write them now and realize that it was less than 48 hours seems impossible.  They were so deeply intense.  The unknowing.  All of us being in an unfamiliar place (Del Ray Beach, Florida).  The kids who did so well in such an odd setting.  How would we tell them?  What would they understand?    I had never witnessed a death before.  It was peaceful.  I'm so grateful that we were all together.  I'm so happy he was surrounded by such love. 

One thing that I hope always stays with me but I'm writing it here as many people have encouraged me to record memories so they are not forgotten is when my aunt, his sister, said "Your dad could love like the Lord himself".   Her words stopped me.  I have not forgotten them.   What did it mean, I have thought to myself.   I believe it meant that he could love strongly, boldly, unconditionally.   He didn't need approval, he didn't demand his agenda be met, he didn't give to receive.   At his best, my father could love like God himself.  Protective, warm, safe. 

I feel engulfed by his love since the day he passed away.  It is a sensation that is equally impossible to describe and undeniable.   His love, God's love, the universe, the One, the eternal....  Somewhere, somehow there has been goodness all encompassing since he left this mortal earth. 

I still find myself listening to music from my childhood masses.  It comforts me.  And makes me feel like he's by my side.  Prayer, I suppose.   The special language that has come to me since his death that makes me feel immediately close to him.   Missing you, dad. 

[Chorus]
Yahweh, I know you are near
Standing always at my side
You guard me from the foe
And you lead me in ways everlasting

Lord, you have searched my heart
And you know when I sit and when I stand
Your hand is upon me
Protecting me from death
Keeping me from harm

Where can I run from your love?
If I climb to the heavens you are there
If I fly to the sunrise
Or sail beyond the sea
Still I’d find you there

Marvelous to me are your works
How profound are your thoughts, my Lord
Even if I could count them
They number as the stars
You would still be there

Wicked

Fifteen years after it's original debut, we finally made it to Wicked on Broadway this weekend.  It was a spectacular show and no surprise why it was such a hit and why it continues such a strong run.   With seats in the front and center orchestra, we were treated to a spectacular show and as with so many theater productions the ending left me a little teary eyed and overwhelmingly glad to have had the opportunity to witness such brilliance.

An excerpt from the final song, "For Good":

I've heard it said

That people come into our lives for a reason

Bringing something we must learn

And we are led

To those who help us most to grow

If we let them

And we help them in return

Well, I don't know if I believe that's true

But I know I'm who I am today

Because I knew you...   

Like a comet pulled from orbit

As it passes a sun

Like a stream that meets a boulder

Halfway through the wood

Who can say if I've been changed for the better?

But because I knew you

I have been changed for good.

NYC, always

Returning home from a perfect weekend in NYC to celebrate S's birthday!   The first time we went together was to celebrate mine and we try to return a few times a year.  New York only grows on me as I get older and I would welcome an opportunity to live there at some point on my journey.  The hustle and vibrancy of NYC fills me with hope and energy.

On this trip we stayed at the Edition in Times Square. It's a new hotel and I must say - it was exquisite.  Not only was the ultra sleek room with a terrace and unbelievable views dream-worthy but every single staff member we met - from the valet, to the front desk, the room service and the servers - were so friendly and accommodating.  I'll recap a bit more of the trip when I have more time but for now my heart and soul are so full of gratitude for the amazing life I'm having the opportunity to live.  My good fortune is not lost on me for even a waking moment...