To Blog or Not To Blog?

I admit it... I love reading blogs. I also love to watch mindless, reality television. Sitting back and analyzing this, it can only mean one thing: I need to get a life of my own and live it instead of watching others live theirs. So, that's what I intend to do. I've already begun by taking my first road trip to Dallas with my three daughters a few weeks ago. We had the most incredible time together. It was a time to prove to myself that this was something I could do without the fear of something dreadful happening, including the likely event that the kids would eventually turn on each other, but, to my delight, that didn't happen, either. Now, it's time to prepare for my next journey. What was I thinking when I planned out and booked this trip to Key West, Florida?! Again, it's time to 'man up' and just do it. If not now, then when, right?!





As most are already aware, life as I knew it almost came to an abrupt end last year when I was blindsided by a heart attack. This led to what they call Flash Edema and then Congestive Heart Failure. After struggling to get back on my feet for what seemed like an eternity, more testing revealed the need for Bypass Surgery. Not exactly the news I expected to hear from the Surgeon. The rest, as they say, is history and here I am today, a year after open heart surgery, deciding it's finally time to get out there and live the life I've only dreamed about for so long! Don't get me wrong, there are still those bad days where it takes all I have in me to finish out a normal day, but I guess this is what I can now refer to as my 'new normal' and keep pressing on toward that finish line intact. After this trip, my next hurdle will be writing that book. The book. This is where my need for true strength is way beyond! Having to face and recall the details of July 10, 2009 will take me to my limits.

For now, all my focus is on this upcoming trip with my best friend, Kym. Can I just tell you a little about this fascinating creature? When I describe her as a 'creature', it is meant in the most loving fashion as she is definately one of a kind. First of all, the fact that she dropped everything to rush to my side while I wasn't even aware she was there... what does that tell you?! She truly walked out the definition of friendship during the worst of times for me and my family.

From the moment we first met, about ten years ago, we clicked. Not only are we both so deeply passionate about photography, we just seemed to 'get' each other. I can't count the times we've been in a situation where all it took was a look and we instantly knew what the other was thinking. Most of them, you really don't want to know about, nor should be repeated in an open forum such as this!

I've heard her described as a force to be reckoned with and is that ever the truth! She's known to speak her mind, as I'm more known for my timidity. She's bold, bright and shiny where I'm quiet, dark and mousy. She chases tornadoes while I head to the storm cellar. I have education envy as she's recently completed her Doctorate, while I'm barely a high school graduate. She's living proof that all things are possible, especially after knowing her background and upbringing as I do. We could not be more opposite, yet more alike in so many ways. She truly inspires me to go the extra distance, no matter what 'might' happen. She has called me 'her hero' more times that I can count, but the truth of the matter is that she is mine and that's all there is to it. I know she'll have my back in every situation, especially while trying to navigate me (highly sedated) and our luggage through the airports of Florida and for that I'll be forever grateful! I can only hope and pray I can be for her what she is for me.

My first blog, ever, dedicated to my best friend, Dr. Kym, whom you will be hearing more about, especially while in Florida... sorry, but we both know that some stories will just have to be shared!


xoxo