Tony Time!

Fact...I love me some Broadway.

And tonight just happens to be the Great White Way's biggest night...

It's the TONY AWARDS!

And guess what, my bestie, Judith won! So happy for her, I misted a little as they called her name. Yeah, shut up and don't judge. It was so exciting to see her stand up and not know what end was up after her name was called. She couldn't believe she had won. And then she gets up there and thanks everyone including the people in the box office! Yeah, she's that humble and amazing of a person. It's why we be besties! Way to go Aunt Hilda!

And then there is Steve Kazee. It was the most tender acceptance speech I think I've ever heard. He lost his mom to cancer on Easter Sunday. He dedicated the award to her. He said that before he would perform, she would always say to him "Stand up there and show them who's little boy you are!" So he went on to say that he was proudly the son of  Kathy Withrow Kazee and that the award was for her. It was so touching and moving and I will admit that it wasn't just misting I was experiencing, the waterworks were a little more substantial than that. What a neat guy. So happy for him!

Oh it makes me want to go back to the Big Apple! Hey, I can get a bag packed in no time flat...how bout you? What do you say we hit the next red eye outta here, and hit up the ole Broadway?! Game on!

Live Like That...

I headed to the Temple with some friends yesterday and it got me thinking...I am so thankful for the people who help me stand, and the ones who stand with me...

I do a lot of crazy things on a regular basis. I throw wakes, and have birthday parties for celebrities, and hell, I even rent U-Hauls and make my friends join me in the Harmons parking lot as we fill it up with food for the food bank. I've never professed to be normal. And no one who knows me would dare make that claim of me either. But I have to say that my friends are the best ever. We have started making plans for my 30th birthday party already (yes, I know it's a bit early, but we can't have anyone getting an early non-10 or 12 inch haircut!), which includes lopping off our hair and donating blood and other fun things (don't worry, there will be more details to follow and a sign up sheet for y'all!). But the thing that struck me is that they are all on board for the craziness. Ready to jump in and help out. And many of them have causes of their own that they bring to the table for us to help out with and bring awareness to.

Good people. I am surrounded by a lot of good people...

And I feel so blessed that God has sent so many incredible people into my life. People that inspire me to be better. To go out and make a difference. To be more like Him...

I listen to KLOVE quite often and I heard this song and it really struck me. It is by the Sidewalk Prophets and is called "Live Like That." I heard one of the band members being interviewed one day on a 'behind the music' thing one day and he explained the inspiration for him were a few people in his life that made him want to live more like Jesus. Their lives exemplified good qualities that lead him to want to be better.

I have some people in my life like that. I look at them in awe of their goodness, of their Christlike attributes, of the good qualities they have refined almost to perfection. These people vary in age and gender, social status and mental capacity. Some might surprise you that I look at them with such reverence and awe. But sit back for a minute with me, and I will show you...and you will see...and will soon join with me and say, "I want to live like that!"...

Who causes you to say, "I want to live like that!"?...

Life Changing

There are some moments in time that as they are occurring, you know you are being changed forever. This has happened many times for me. But recently and as it applies to this post, it took places as I was talking to two survivors of the Holocaust.

The first was Ina Polak. The post I originally wrote about my conversation with her can be read here. The minute I heard her voice on the phone, I knew history was being written in my heart, and I would not be the same after talking with her.

The second was Eva Kor. The post about meeting her can be found here. That was a moment in time that seemed surreal. I couldn't believe I was standing before this woman whom I had read so much about. And then for two hours I had the chance to talk with and listen to her share her story and incredible insight. Changed forever? Total understatement.

She comes to mind almost every day. Seriously. I think about her perspective. Her level of forgiveness and her appreciation of life. I am in humble awe of it and her. And I truly do strive to be more like her, in so many ways.

And so today when I got the email from Eva, in honor of D-Day, I felt that I should state my appreciation of a woman who changed what will be written in the 'history books' of my life. Because I met her, because of her influence, I am changed for the good. Thank you Eva for continuing to share your story and your indomitable spirit with the world. You are an inspiration to all you come in contact with...

969

Today was the last day of school, and I got the ride of a lifetime...

Yep, that is right, I got a ride on the ole 69er!

My friend Mary, who just happens to be my bus driver surprised me and traded in our bus for this gem, for our last day of school. There aren't words to say how this thrilled me!

It doesn't get any better than this. And it they don't get better than Mary. She seriously is the sweetest woman in the world. I am so lucky to call her my friend. I mean how many would go well out of their way and to a lot of work, to fulfill this kind of warped dream of their demented friend?! But I will just say that good times like this were had all school year long...it rarely felt like work. It was kicks and giggles every day...literally.