I'm Honey!

As a woman who has lived through many passages and learned through my larger than life experiences (positive and negative), I’ve discovered how to take a big empowering bite out of life.

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The Important Things in Life

Important Things in Life

When I notice one bright star in the sky, I make a wish hoping my wish will be granted. Since I was a young woman, I have wished the same wish. So far, so good.

I have never hoped for material possessions or asked a star to do something for me. I have asked ‘my star’ to grant me this wish: Good health for my family. What do you wish for? 

A Catch 22

Yesterday was a catch 22. It was my ultimate concierge’s most special day of the year, his birthday.

We planned to spend the day and evening alone, but the day before, I learned that my friend’s sister died. Of course, my husband, on his birthday, took me to the funeral. I sat in the synagogue holding my husband’s hand and wishing my girlfriend still had her sister, and that I was somewhere else, celebrating my husband on his special day.

Next to me sat a close friend who I had no idea I would see at the funeral. Her husband is not well, and though she did not know, I sat there worrying about her.

And then I drifted into my own zone and thought about my ‘always wish’ upon my star and said a silent prayer to God asking for good health for my husband and my family.

Even in Stormy Seas, I Feel Lucky

At the funeral, several friends came up to me. Their smiling faces upon seeing me and my feeling of happiness seeing them calmed the stormy seas in my mind.

Upon returning to our condo with my birthday husband, I saw our doormen and many familiar smiling faces in our lobby.

I felt so lucky to live where I live, know who I know, love who I love and feel grateful that I have my head on straight; meaning my priorities. 

To all of you darlings who comment on and read my musings, I believe you have your heads on straight, too. We are of the generation ‘who get it.’ But what does ‘get it’ mean?

It means we are grateful for the essential things in life. We treasure the love we feel for our family, love for our spouse or significant other, and love for close friendships.

We know that material possessions do not bring inner happiness, but that laughter and curiosity and being human — instead of just a human being — bring joy. And, we know that when we wish upon a star, the best medicine is to ask that one bright star in the sky for good health and not material wealth.

The Important Things in Life

I fixed my darling husband lunch, signed four birthday cards (one is never enough for this husband of mine), then I ran up to the seventh floor in Water Tower Place and bought the man who has everything his birthday present, his favorite caramel popcorn from Garrett Popcorn.

Then I raced to the park across the street from our condo to meet my ultimate concierge at his favorite park bench. I kept him company while he smoked his cigar, given to him on his birthday by my mother’s caregiver, Annette. We stayed in the park for an hour.

At home, his phone rang and rang as calls from grands and friends and family poured in, all wishing him a happy birthday. (My phone rang and rang with friends + family wondering why they could not reach him on his phone! He does not “click over” this man of mine.)

Later in the evening, we went to Gene and Georgetti for dinner, just the two of us, when by chance in walked one of my husband’s best friends and his wife, who asked to join us for dinner. What a lovely surprise for him, though selfishly I would have preferred having dinner alone with my birthday boy.

After a delightful dinner, four of the waiters sang happy birthday and presented my husband with a little cake and candle. We left the restaurant happy. Upon arriving home, we dug into the caramel popcorn, talked for a while and went to bed.

I laid awake thinking about the day. It was a catch 22. The end of one life and the celebration of another.  One household in mourning. Our home filled with joy.

That is why, my darlings, it is important to treasure and be grateful for the essential things in life.

What Are You Grateful For?

I cherish you, my dear readers, and I welcome you to share your thoughts and experiences either in the comments below or on FacebookTwitter, and Instagram.

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June 5, 2018

Advice

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  1. Start hedrick says:

    Your concierge has excellent taste in popcorn ????.
    Enjoyed the article.

  2. Kay Stringer says:

    You are a wise woman and I look forward to each story. I strive to be as wise and gracious as you are.

  3. Laurie says:

    I love all of your posts, but this one is the best yet❤️

  4. Kristina.Vinson@asr.sccgov.org Hansen says:

    True! We need to enjoy and be blessed with life and daily events. 🙂

  5. Linda says:

    I “get it” too! I am grateful for my family and my love! I was fortunate enough to be in love 3 times in my life. When I was married the first time I was only 18 years old. I thought we were in it for the long haul, but evidently my husband wasn’t. No regrets, we had a son, now my strength, that I am so grateful for. My son has a wonderful wife and 2 exceptional children (don’t we all feel that way about our grandchildren?) that bring us all such joy! My second husband passed at the young age of 63. He was a man of character, but he didn’t take care of himself. No matter how hard we all tried to persuade him to stop smoking and take better care, he lived his life the way he wanted. My third love came into my life when I wasn’t;t looking! We have been together almost 13 years now and I can say he is my soulmate! We laugh all the time, he treats me like a queen and I have love and feel loved every day! The one thing that we both wish for is a long healthy life together! We are working on the healthy part, I have a sedentary life, so we are trying to more more! I wish good health for my entire family, without it money has no worth.

  6. Mary Pent says:

    Thanks for sharing. My husband recently lost his job in a very unfair situation. I keep telling him that we have each other and we have 3 healthy, happy, successful daughters. We are so blessed!

  7. Rebecca says:

    Hi Honey!….I really enjoy reading your post, this one is wonderful.
    Such wise words and a good reminder of the many ways I have
    been blessed! Thanks for sharing!
    Rebecca

  8. Rebecca Ransick says:

    Hi Honey!….I really enjoy reading your post, this one is wonderful.
    Such wise words and a good reminder of the many ways I have
    been blessed! Thanks for sharing!
    Rebecca

  9. Donna says:

    Hi Honey, I enjoyed your story and felt it was an important reminder for me as my husband and I have been going through a very difficult time for several years. You see, he lost his job over 2 1/2 yrs ago and last year he was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer. Today is one year to the day of his surgery and so far he is beating the odds and remains cancer free. He is still job hunting (which has been a very frustrating experience when you’re a few years shy of 60). But, as you reminded me today, our health is the most important thing we can possess and we are so grateful that today my beloved husband is healthy.

  10. Julia Mullins says:

    I loved what you wrote and it is so true that people want riches and fame when the best is health and family. Thank your for this reminder.

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