Hawaiian Vacation Day 13

Today I celebrate and honor the spirit of my Gram.  She taught me almost everything I know, and certainly inspired me to laugh, love, dance and never give up!

One of her favorite quotes was, "Bloom where you're planted."

As a kid, I hated that thought- "Why not dig yourself out and bloom somewhere else if you're unhappy."

Now, I see the beauty in the thought.  There will be many pit stops along the path of life, if you learn how to flourish despite them, you will always grow, evolve, "bloom!"

I miss her so much, but I will continue to shine on in her honor! 

Love you gram! 

Remembering Gram

The past three weeks since my grandmas death has been full of ups and downs-

I've been swamped with work, which has provided a needed distraction, but the moments of intense sadness and loss still overwhelm me. 

When I first wake in the morning is generally the worst.

Still, I'm able to recognize that all of the sad thoughts, regrets and wishing for a different outcome, won't bring gram back to me-

Nor will it encourage me to continue to pursue the goals and dreams that I have been working for my entire life. No one believed in me more or wanted these dreams to manifest for me more than gram did.

She understood my passion, inspired me to work at my dreams and never give up!

So rather than allowing the despair to conquer the spirit that my gram ignited in me-

I must celebrate her memory and her spirt that lives on in me.

I owe her the honor of continuing to be that man she believed I could be.

I have to release the negative and embrace her light.

I know she'll continue to inspire me to shine!

The Price Of Death

Never mind the emotional loss,
I'm shocked and overwhelmed with how much it cost to die.
Everything has a price tag!
On the positive side;
There has been a nonstop barrage of;
donuts, deli platters, cheese plates, veggie trays, fruit salads and beverages!
...and plenty of company to eat, remember, cry and rejoice!
#IMissMyGram

Remembering Gram

It's too painful to write about this right now,
But I'm fighting to celebrate my grams life, rather than mourn it...
May 6, 1936 ~ June 29, 2013