I’ve taken a couple of days to process the helicopter crash that took the lives of nine beautiful souls on Sunday. We lose celebrities all the time. Princess Di. Michael Jackson. Prince. Whitney. Robin Williams. They all strike us in some way.

Kobe was an icon. Whether you liked him because of his prowess on the court or disliked him because of what allegedly happened in Colorado 17 years ago...his name and reputation are large and his loss will be felt by many for years to come.

Whooooo...church was on fire yesterday! Pastor Justin talked about addiction. We are addicted to SO many things. We’re addicted to needing people to like us. Just look at how people cling to the number of “likes” on that selfie they posted to social media. We’re addicted to TV, gambling, smoking, eating, NOT eating, exercise, shopping, pornography, alcohol, drugs...heck, we’re addicted to OURSELVES. We’re just that important.

I totally forgot yesterday was Friday. The time is flying by so quickly, it just totally snuck up on me. I went to the mall Thursday with my bonus-daughter, two of my bonus-granddaughters, and the three babies. We had lunch and when we were finished, I asked one to take my picture with the three babies on my lap.

When Hubby #2 and I hit the final skids of what had become a hopeless mess of a marriage, we each heavily invested ourselves in the gathering of allies. We trash-talked each other...not only in person, but among our friends, family, and community at large. Anyone who might choose a side were fair game. It’s no wonder so many people retreated and left us BOTH alone.

I spent much of yesterday at the mall meeting and greeting folks coming in to see the Girl Camper Charity Raffle rpod. When I walked in, I took one look at the camper and smiled ear to ear. I was talking with one of the maintenance guys the day I took the camper in and told him how some of the gals I’ve camped with doll up their camping spot. So, he took upon himself to go dig around in their prop room and find this cute little picket fence and set it up around the business end of the camper to hide the jack, propane tanks, and hitch. OMGosh! Now I want Mr. FixIt to make one of these for me when I camp all the time! Too cute.

The sweet refrain of this blessed hymn of my youth trickled into my consciousness as I absorbed the words from one of my most special people. She is friend...she is family. She is example...she is mentor. She is confidante...she is touchstone. And now...after months of chemotherapy...she is cancer free!

I burst into tears with the news. I hadn’t realized how hard I was praying for a miracle. I hadn’t realized how much I had been holding my breath. 

When I married Mr.FixIt, I immediately more than doubled my family. I have all these bonus kids, grandkids, and now great grandkids. I remember dreaming of having a big family like my own grandma had. And now, Mr. FixIt and I have a combined family of 8 kids (with significant others), 9 grandchildren (with significant others) and 3 greatgrands. It’s so wonderful!

James Blunt is a 45-year-old English singer/songwriter who has sold over 11 million albums since his rise to fame with the hit single “You’re Beautiful”. His heartfelt, passionate voice lends itself well to the emotional ballads he is known for and there’s none more emotional than his recent release... “Monsters”.

Written for his ailing father, Blunt stares into the camera in an extreme closeup while fighting back tears as he sings. It is a portrait of a man suffering from the anticipatory grief that comes knowing a loved one’s death, while perhaps not imminent, is certainly forthcoming. One cannot help but feel the pain of such a great loss as the one the artist is anticipating.

I have been totally consumed by the camping world this week. We are heading into the final push for the Charity Trailer Raffle, I was on the news, and I drove the camper into the mall and set it up for display. It’s clean and shiny and I’ve spent the last two days “camped out” in the mall, answering questions, showing it off, talking about Girl Campers and the HoldYou Foundation, and meeting tons of people. I was amazed I only saw two people at the mall that I actually know. Mr. FixIt, however, is a different story. He knows everyone, everywhere! He is a gregarious man.

There is a fine line between having a fire within...and running around like your hair’s on fire. A lot of times, the difference between the two is nothing more than attitude, perception, decision. I’ve been so super busy for over a year. Ever since my dear friend Janine chided me and told me to put my knitting down and write my book last February, I haven’t stopped running.