Category Archives: Family

5 Reasons Your Siblings Are Your Best Friends

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45454_10200741088638316_355859828_nIt’s December 23, 1974.  A mother goes into labor and is rushed to the hospital by her husband.  Her due date was in the vicinity of the first week of January.  She was a bit nervous because she was a couple of weeks early.  The mother is rushed into the delivery room and the father sat in the waiting room with the other nail-biting, expecting fathers.  In those days Dads waited with everyone else in the waiting room.

The time comes to deliver the baby and out comes a crying baby girl with blonde hair.  Delivery nurses hustle about taking care of the baby while the doctor tends to the mother.  Suddenly, the doctor exclaims in a very surprised voice, “Nobody move!  She’s still too fat!  She’s having another baby”.  A nurse continues to work on the first baby and seven minutes later the chaos erupts again as a second baby girl, this one with brown hair, is born.  While baby #2 is being taken care of, a nurse goes to the waiting room door and holds up 2 fingers to the anxiously waiting father.  Being 1974, he says, “Yeah Peace.  But, how is my wife?” not realizing the nurse was signaling two babies, not the peace sign.  You see, back then sonograms did not exist; if they did they were not in tiny town hospitals.  This mom and dad were told they were to have one big baby boy the first week in January.  Two days before Christmas they were surprised with twin girls!  And, that’s the story of how I was brought into this fascinating world… I was surprise baby #2!

My twin sister and I also have a sister who is two and a half years older than us.  Although we all live states away from each other and could not be more different from one sister to the next, we are blood; we are sisters.  Even though at times it may not seem like it, we are best friends.  The old saying says you can pick your friends, but you can’t pick your family.  To me, family is the most important part of life.  Every family has their issues no matter how polished they look from the outside.  My sisters and I come from an incredibly large extended family.  And, with that, comes issues.  But, I would not change one bit about our family, especially my siblings.  I did not pick my siblings, but I think God did a pretty darn good job at picking them for me.  I believe there are five reasons why our siblings are our best friends… no matter how good or bad the relationship is.

 

  1. They will tell you to snap out of it when most others will definitely not.  When life is not going your way and you continue to let it, your siblings will give you a kick in the butt with the big boot of reality you need to snap out of it.  They do not want to see you struggle and will not allow you to wallow in self-pity.  They do it because they love you.
  2. They will be brutally honest with you. “No, your shoes do not match your handbag.”  “That tie with that shirt?  No way, brother!”  “Your breath stinks; have a TicTac.”  “You have spinach in your teeth.”  And, maybe the most brutal… “I’m concerned about your weight/health.”  Your best friend would never let you walk around with bad fashion, bad breath, or something stuck in your teeth.  Your best friend definitely cares for your health and well-being.  They say all this because they love you.
  3. They have your back no matter what.  When times are tough, when times are good, when people are being kind, when people are being unkind… your siblings have your back.  If you and your sibling had unfriendly words in recent times and someone else is treating your sibling disrespectfully, you will jump in and have their back regardless.  They do it because they love you.
  4. They accept you for being YOU even though you may not sometimes.  It can be hard to look in the mirror and say to yourself, “Yes, this is who I am.”  You may wish you had a different body type.  You may wish you could be more of a morning person.  You may wish you had an outgoing personality and not so introverted.  You may be the person who had a hard time accepting your sexuality earlier in life.  Your siblings accept all of this about you because they love you.
  5. They love you unconditionally.  We all have things we wish we could change or do better.  We have things in our lives that we are proud of.  Life can be difficult, but it can also be absolutely amazing.  Through it all our siblings are our best friends because they love us unconditionally.

I am proud of my siblings.  We each have traits and abilities that make us unique.  All three of us are so incredibly different.  The one thing we all do have in common is we would turn the world inside out to help one another in times of need or trouble.  We would do it because we love each other.

Impossible… or I’m Possible

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Impossible

“Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m possible’!”

~ Audrey Hepburn ~

Impossible… ten letters that form a word that can have a massive impact on how you approach something and situations.  The word can force you to avoid or run and hide when, in fact, the somethings and situations just might be possible.  There are times when the option to run from the seemingly impossible does not exist because this option to run, quite frankly, may lead to death.

Have you ever been forced to come to grips with your own mortality?  For those who have been on the receiving end of, “You have cancer…”, facing one’s mortality becomes a body and soul numbing reality.  Give some thought to how you would handle it.  While you are doing that, let me introduce you to a young lady who faced the impossible and kicked it right in the chops at the very young age of 13!  I had the honor of sitting down with her and her mother to hear her story and hear what she wanted the world to know.  Her story is one of inspiration, determination, bravery, grit, and oozes with the kind of courage most can only dream of. So, ladies and gentlemen, without further ado, I introduce to you Gracie Snyder. Here is her story…

On May 28, 2014 at the age of 13 and in 7th grade, Gracie was diagnosed with a Astrocytoma, a brain tumor that was located in the front of the brain positioned between her eyes.  When I ask what the events were leading up to the diagnosis, Gracie explained it to me like this (slightly more fun than her mother’s description).

“We were playing Ten Base in gym class.  The ball was kicked into a corner where it went between the wall without padding and the bleachers.  I was running to get it and I was going too fast. I went to grab the ball and I didn’t get it because my head is too big and my arms are too short.”  (insert giggles during the interview)

Gracie fell and hit her head causing her to go unconscious.  As it turned out, this fall saved her life.  At the emergency room Gracie started to come around and she said she felt fine and wanted to go home.  Mother’s intuition said, “No.  Let’s stay and get it checked out.”  The CAT Scan showed something on her brain and Gracie was rushed to Upstate Medical Center.  The MRI showed the walnut-sized tumor.  On July 17, 2014 she underwent surgery to remove the tumor.  But, the surgery didn’t go as planned.

The procedure was supposed to be quick with ten days in the hospital.  The original plan was to pull the tumor through her nose rather than cut into her skull.  Gracie’s scans were viewed by top specialist in Germany. They all agreed this approach was not an option.  Gracie was admitted on July 16th.  Electrodes were connected to map her brain to see where they were going to go in.  The procedure was supposed to be a six-hour surgery.  As soon as they opened her up, they saw the tumor was much larger than expected.  It had spider webbed into the ventricles of her brain.  The surgeons had to instantly come up with a brand new plan.  The surgeon made an incision across the top of her head and down the side and an attempt to get as much of the tumor as possible was underway.  Unfortunately, the tumor had wrapped itself around the optical nerve.  If the doctor had pulled any more on the tumor it would have resulted in blindness.  The tumor was also too close to the pituitary gland causing the surgeon to leave some of it behind. This grueling surgery ended up being twelve torturous hours.  Gracie did not wake up for three days after the surgery.  I can not begin to imagine how agonizing this was for her mother.

Gracie then began to have clinical seizures.  To make matters even worse, the drain tube in her head broke as they were taking it out.  Gracie had to undergo another procedure to have it removed.  The next few weeks were spent in the pediatric intensive care unit.

With some of the tumor remaining in Gracie’s brain, she had to undergo very intense chemotherapy treatments.  Every Wednesday for twelve weeks Gracie got out of bed, followed the same routine and headed out the door for treatments.  The rest of the day on Wednesday and the entire next day she felt horrible, tried not to vomit, slept and wouldn’t talk to anyone.  Being a cancer survivor myself, I can completely relate to every part of this.  But, the thing about Gracie is she never once felt sorry for herself.  And, this is where the real story begins…

After Gracie was diagnosed with a brain tumor, had surgery and went through treatments, she had to learn how to walk and talk all over again and still struggles with her memory.  Her mother said the situation was like having a baby all over again.  Speech, cognitive and occupational therapy were on the slate for rehabilitation.  Both Mom and Gracie persevered with determination and hard work.

Sitting down to talk with Gracie, I found myself going through a truck load of emotions as I listened to her tell me about the actions of friends and family as she went through all of this.  Then, I listened to her describe her philosophy, her attitude and sense of humor with the entire situation.  I quickly realized this young lady was faced with the impossible and embraced the “I’m Possible”!

Before her diagnosis she was a typical teenager with a ton of friends and never being home.  When she was first diagnosed many of her friends were there for her and wanted to help.  Once she started chemo treatments, the list of “friends” dwindled to just a few people.  Now many of the “friends” don’t talk to her.  Gracie believes some of her friends think the brain tumor is contagious and they want to stay away.  Others may not have liked her sudden weight gain.  When the surgeon remove the tumor away from her pituitary gland it allowed her body to begin to mature properly and put on healthy weight.  She went from 80 pounds to just over 100 pounds.  I hope with all of my heart this is not the reason some of her friends have stayed away from her.  How very shameful this would be.

I asked Gracie what she wanted to tell the world.  Listening to her response, I found myself becoming emotional and grew even more proud of her.  Here is what she wants you to know. “I never gave up.  I don’t want to be treated differently.  I’m not the girl with the brain tumor or the sick kid.  I’m going through something a little tough.  I’m just a little different version of me.  To me it’s just another bump in the road. I don’t see it as a big deal.  It’s Wednesday… Chemo… OK, here we go.  We had a routine and just did it.”

“Something a little tough.”  Are you kidding me?  This young lady is awe-inspiring!

When Gracie saw the other children in the hospital who were going through chemo as well she realized her situation was not as bad as it could be.  The other children were much worse than she was.  She also spoke of her friend from school, Robert, who recently passed away and battled leukemia.  Gracie said,”I have a brain tumor.  Whoopdeedoo. I’m still here.”.  She said the whole experience was life changing.

The extraordinary thing about Gracie is she never once felt sorry for herself; not about the treatments, the disappearing friends, the family member who should have been by her side and wasn’t…  She has not one ounce of “poor me” in her.  Gracie’s sense of humor about the whole experience is spectacular.  Because of her memory issue, she calls herself Dory (“Finding Nemo” movie reference) and refers to the small tumor that remains as her squirrel brain.  I have personally witnessed Gracie’s determination on the field hockey field.  She has an incredible never give up attitude that, as a coach, I wish I could bottle.  Her drive, tenacity, grit, and perseverance are extraordinary.

Gracie is a remarkable young lady who sees her glass as half full.  What could have been a murky, cloudy, nasty view through glasses is definitely clear, lustrous and rose-colored.  Gracie has outmaneuvered adversity with dignity, class and maturity that some adults lack.  She is spectacular!

Fighting cancer takes guts, courage, strength, conviction, a never quit attitude, and an amazing support system.  Gracie has it all and then some.  Some would see a brain tumor as an impossible battle.  Gracie looked at it and said, “I’m possible” and kicked it right in the chops!

Gracie & her mom, Michelle            Gracie & Beth, a hospital volunteer

Stop It and Refocus

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I love technology.  My home office, or Mission Control as I call it, consists of two cell phones, an iPad with a bluetooth keyboard, a MacBook, and a bluetooth printer and let’s not leave out the music system with four iPods to choose the tunes of the day from.  The cell phones are Apple products, which means all devices are keeping up with each other.  Everything runs at the same time with me jumping from one to the next so smoothly resembling a ballerina gliding across the stage.  Well, maybe not that smoothly, but you get the point.  I, of course, can justify this madness with a long dissertation on why all of this is necessary in order for me to be productive.  I have rehearsed it and given the speech numerous times.  Some people buy it and others just think I am nuts.  In either case, I have all of this stuff to refer to, glare into, research and process from, waste time with, and be entertained by.  Now, I know I am not alone in this.  Face it.  You have these things, as well; maybe not as much as I do or maybe you have even more.  But, stick with me because I need to shift gears for a moment.

When I talk with people who are either thinking about getting into running or they are struggling to keep their motivation to run, I always come back to the same question.  What is your “Y” factor?  What I mean is, what is it deep down inside of you that is the reason why you want to run, walk, exercise, get healthier?  When we can figure that out, it then becomes the reason why we get out of bed an hour earlier a few days a week and hit the pavement.  I will now return to my regularly schedule article…

The question becomes, what is the “Y” factor behind having all this stuff?  Do we REALLY need it?  I say, to a certain extent, yes we do.  Let’s face it, it’s the way of the world.  Technology is an important aspect of the work place.  I know only one man who continues to use an old-fashioned typewriter.  He sits on his front porch typing away.  People marvel at it as they walk by and hear the click clack of him composing a letter to someone!  He is a retired journalism professor who will absolutely not convert to the new technology.  He does not have to, need to and, most definitely, does not want to.  However, I work quite often out of my home and require the use of modern technology.  I do not have a landline phone in my home because a cell phone will suffice and it is pretty much always glued to my hip.  Do I NEED two of them, probably not.  However, I justify it by saying one is my personal phone and the other is my business phone, which of course I can write off as a business expense.  This explanation seems to be enough for most people.  Do I NEED to have the iPad and MacBook going at the same time?  Most of the time I do not, but it looks really cool.  Do I NEED to have the music?  Absolutely! Music helps me stay focused.  But, do I need four iPods?  No, but they were gifts and I do not want to seem ungrateful, therefore I use each one of them.  I 100% believe I am not alone is this technology overload.  In fact, if I look hard enough, I am certain I can find a support group for all of us who are in the same boat.  However, here is the big problem.  All of this “stuff” is keeping us from living right.  I’ll explain.

The other day I watched a person walk square into a street sign.  SLAM!  They never saw it coming.  They had their head down and their eyes were immersed in something that I am certain was crucial to attend to straight away on their cell phone.  Admittedly, I giggled a little.  Sorry, but it was funny!  Anyway… Instead of learning from the incident and taking their head out of their phone to watch where they were going, they went straight back to doing what they were doing before the street sign so rudely jumped out in front of them.  I am sure you have seen something similar to this before.  The next time you have a few extra minutes to take a step back and observe the people around you, count how many people have their head down in a piece of technology.

I am a firm believer in eye contact.  It has become a thing of the past in public, especially when walking down the street, around the mall, etc.  Not only is it being polite, but making eye contact with someone is a sign of confidence.  It is a safety mechanism.  It shows strength.  As someone who has been in martial arts for thirty years, I can tell you it is one of the first things I teach and a first line of defense.  So, if for no other reason, for the love of God people take your head out of your phone when you are walking around in public!  Here ends the lesson…

Technology has brought about a new dislike for human kind, a hatefulness if you will.  The world we live in is full of all sorts of ugliness that is being fed or brought about in part because of technology.  We have instant access to things that happen around the globe.  Ugliness is what seems to sell stories more now than ever.  It has become so bad that titles to articles can stir the ugly pot even when the actual article talks about something completely the opposite.  As a society, we have become a new kind of lazy and quick to react.  By lazy I mean we read an article title on social media, it gets us fired up, we make a comment and express our dislike for the situation all without actually reading the article.  Read the article?  We don’t have time for that.  The title gave us the information we need, right?  It never fails!  There is always someone who then tries to defend the article because they actually read it.  Name calling ensues.  They refer to the ones who clearly didn’t the read article as stupid, ignorant and, most often, use other very ugly, salty language to describe the persons level of intellect.  And, without fail, the bickering begins and the point of the article is completely lost because everyone is compelled to defend their view of the topic and sling a few distasteful words and special names back.  All of this takes place like a school fight on the playground between eight year olds.

Think back to a time when social media did not exist.  We got our dose of news from the newspaper (the actual newspaper, not on-line) and the morning or evening news.  If something happened across the country, we didn’t hear about it until the news broadcast informed us about it.  If we didn’t like what we were hearing or reading we didn’t have the ability to hide behind a computer screen and write very hateful, hurtful comments and essentially pick fights with people.  Technology has brought about a new kind of defense and not in a good way.  I often wonder if these people who are fighting via the safety of their technological devices, would they have the nerve to actually say these awful things to the others face to face?

So, my point to all of this is we need to stop it and refocus.  We need to refocus our priorities in life.  We need to stop being so ugly toward each other.  I have had to attend more funerals in my life than I care to count for people who were struck down by cancer, strokes, heart attacks, suicide… all great people who deserved a long, happy, loving life.  We live in a much more complex world now than it was 30 years ago.  Technology can bring about so many good things in our world.  Helping to find a cure for cancer is one that comes to mind.  But, are you using it for good or for ugliness?  There are so many problems facing the world today.  Rather than adding to the problems, figure out how you can be part of the solution.  The solution may be as simple as not making the comment on the social media article you are just itching to post.  T.H.I.N.K.!  Is what you want to say, True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary, Kind?  If not, let it go.  Because in the grand scheme of things, in the entirety of your life, what does it all really matter?  What difference is it going to have on your day and your life if you make the ugly comment you are thinking in your mind.  Instead of putting it out there for the world to see and quite possibly you being judged as one of those nasty names others are calling people, write it down on a piece of paper.  Go ahead and get it off your chest.  Read it over a couple of times, then crumple it up and toss it out.  Once you have done that evaluate the situation.  How do you feel about the ugly thoughts you had?  Did any of it add value to your day and your life?  Refocus!

Take a few minutes and figure out what it is that is truly important in your life.  What value or contribution are you making to the lives around you?  Are you happy with your life?  If not, stop blaming people, places and things and make the changes you need to make in order to be happy. Bob Marley said exactly that. “Open your eyes, look within.  Are you satisfied with the life you’re living?”  Be the change you wish to see in the world around you and try to make a difference in someone else’s life.  One more music quote and I’m finished..  I promise.  Stevie Wonder, “Love’s In Need of Love Today”.  The song is about love in modern times and how the word and meaning of love seems to have faded.  It implores people to give love to love, to stop the hate.

“The force of evil plans
To make you its possession
And it will if we let it
Destroy every-body
We all must take
Precautionary measures
If love and peace you treasure
Then you’ll hear me when I say

Love’s in need of love today
Don’t delay
Send yours in right away
Hate’s goin’ round
Breaking many hearts
Stop it please
Before it’s gone too far”

Your Mantra

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Mantra is a mind projection created in either a spoken or mental manner. Mantras can be a word, phrase, syllable or sound. They can be recited, sung or repeated silently in the mind. It is a technique for regulating the mind. There are many mantras each one having its own quality, rhythm, and effect. For thousands of years, mystics, meditators and yogis have used mantras for mental and spiritual transformation.  If you search the web you will find web site on top of web site full of inspirational and motivating quotes; mantras, if you will.  Well… here begins the story of Pink Nation and our mantra.

“In rodeo, to ‘cowboy up’ means to suck it up in times of adversity and carry on when you are injured or down and the prospect of doing whatever you’re about to try is so bleak that the best you can hope for is to live through it.” ~ Tuff Hedeman, World Champion Bull Rider

Mantra: any sacred word or syllable used as an object of concentration and embodying some aspect of spiritual power.  I am a proud card-carrying member of the Pink Nation Marathon Training Team.  We begin our “family reunion” each year in June.  We hold “church” each Sunday morning to get our sweat on and push ourselves towards a goal in November that most would never even consider attempting… start and finish 26.2 miles.  We have a phrase we use when faced with adversity when we head out for training runs, during our lives and especially on race day when we set out to conquer 26.2 miles. Our mantra is “All Go, No Quit, COWBOY UP“. 

You see, Pink Nation is not just a running training team; it’s a family.  We take care of each other and look out for each other.  We welcome new members into our family every year in June.  When one of us has a tough road ahead in any aspect of our life, team members shout our mantra from the roof tops (well comment on social media and other forms of communication, but you get the point).  Throughout the year many members of Pink Nation take part in other races around the stated and even throughout the country; races of varying distances.  No matter the length of the race team members are always there with a rousing “All Go, No Quit, COWBOY UP“.  It sticks in your head.  It becomes your “wingman” never leaving your side during a race.  When you are feeling beat up it is comforting knowing there are people out there who know just what to say to make you suck it up and keep pushing ahead. They know what to say that makes you not quit.

We all need a kick in the butt every now and then to keep us pushing forward in life, in work, and in reaching goals of all kinds.  What is your mantra?  Do you have a phrase that keeps you going? What gives you the kick in the butt you sometimes need to “get through it”, to make it across whatever finish line lies ahead of you?  If you do not have a mantra, I think it would be okay with my fellow Pink Nation family members if you borrowed ours.  But, be careful as it is a powerful phrase.  There’s no telling what you might accomplish once you use it.  “All Go, No Quit, COWBOY UP“, my friends. 

My Maddie-Boo

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It was your world that I was fortunate to exist in. I miss the mornings rubbing your eyes and your gentle nose nudge to let me know I wasn’t finished yet. No more saying your prayers at night, no more dinner time “let’s say grace”, and no more drool on my leg when I say “Amen”. I miss your snoring and noises while you sleep. I see a shadow of you belly up on your sofa. Sticks are piling up and my yard clean up crew isn’t here to help me.  Your fire pit movie night blinkie collar blinks no more.

Your baby pool is dry, your lion hasn’t roared, your Kermit hasn’t croaked. Your Booda sits where you last tossed it at my feet.  My routines have been turned inside out. No more tail wagging in circles, butt throwing side to side “welcome home, Mom” greeting when I walk through the door.  Your collar sits with no one to decorate, your golf balls haven’t been touched. No more guarding presence next to the shower, no more night time snuggles and morning massages to give.

I miss my stretching partner, my escort to the mailbox and my back seat driver.  I haven’t said “eat your breakfast”, “want some dinner”, “load ’em up”, or “I love you, Maddie-Boo” in 2 days. Your bed is empty, as is my heart.  No more greeting the neighbors with the biggest stick you could find.  No more watching you sniff the same old tree, no more barks at the back door saying “doorbell!” and no more closet doors to open and squirrels to retrieve.

My office assistant is gone, my grill mate has left me.  Morning coffee just isn’t the same.

No more silent glares to let me know it’s time to get up or go outside. Your life was full of friends, both puppies and humans. No more phone calls asking if you could come over to play for the day. My house is empty, yet full of the love you left.  My world was made the day you entered my life.  My face lit up and my smiles were big each time someone asked, “How’s Maddie?”.

No more watching you jump off docks, swim in the pool, raft surfing and climbing the ladder to get out.

You had more friends than you ever knew, some never actually met you.  Your life, personality and love of all things in the world were evident to all who saw your pictures. People you never met have shed tears for you.  You left a mark in this world like no other before.  Your pictures and videos are reminders of your amazing life and love you had for all and the world.

Your final resting place is here with me among the trees, the sticks you carried, the path we walked, with Moose snuggled next to you.  You are in heaven now surrounded by those who have gone before you.  All your friends are with you. All of you are happy, healthy and will play together forever.  Your pool is open forever now, your raft is always afloat. The sun will shine always for you, your water bowl will forever be full.

Your last breath, your last heart beat… the most precious moment in my life.  There will never be another you.  “She was special” said by so many. Rest easy, my baby girl.

I love you, Maddie-Boo.

The Massey Challenge

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Click here to view my story and help me put cancer on the the run with The Massey Challenge!

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Please consider a small donation that can make a global impact! Click here to learn about VCU Massey Cancer Center. Thank you for your donation!

Man’s Best Friend

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“The faithful dog – why should I strive

 To speak his merits, while they live

In every breast, and man’s best friend

Does often at his heels attend.”

The New-York Literary Journal, Volume 4, 1821

On the day of my puppy dog’s 7th birthday, I am inspired to chat about Man’s Best Friend. The following words come from a summation speech given by an attorney representing a man who was suing for damages after his dog, Old Drum, was shot and killed: “The one absolutely unselfish friend that a man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him and the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous is his dog.” (1870 Warrensburg, Missouri, George Graham Vest).

How many of us can say they have or had a dog who helped them get through some really tough times? I know I can! They know when we are happy. They know when we are sad, sick, angry, and had a tough day. They can sense our emotions and feed off our moods. Dogs have a brand of loyalty that is very unique. Dogs are used in therapeutic situations and to comfort the terminally ill. We hear stories of how families have been saved by their dogs when their homes caught fire. You’ve all heard this one: A family dog gets displaced from his or her family on a vacation and miraculously makes its way all the way back home to his or her family on their own. It’s a connection that amazes all. The connection to their human family through their senses is incredible. Their expressions are mesmerizing at times.

Dogs have incredibly expressive eyes. I often wonder what Maddie is thinking when she looks at me with her big, brown eyes. I often think how great it would be if she could speak English… what great things she would have to say! Recently, Maddie lost two of her best friends. The sadness that her eyes showed was heartbreaking. When she is happy her eyes light up like a Christmas tree. You can see all of her moods and intentions in her eyes. Does she want to play, go to bed, go outside to lounge around, go outside to go potty, snuggle? What kind of mood is she in? Her eyes tell all.

Your dog’s manners are a reflection of you. And your manners may well influence how others see your puppy. I was brought up in a family that insisted on proper manners. This included everything from the dinner table to calling adults Mr. or Mrs. to using Aunt or Uncle when addressing your relatives. Please and thank you were, and still are, a must. We said grace before family dinners. My friends and family can attest that my Maddie has manners. She says her prayers, says grace, yes please, yes ma’am. She does not beg for food at the dinner table. (Yes, I am bragging just a bit about my four legged child!) When I tell her to focus, her eyes are glued on me ready for what I am about to say. I have taught Maddie proper manners as I would my own child. I am someone who loves to have fun with my friends and family. I am a very active outdoors person. Likewise, Maddie is a very playful, fun loving dog. She loves the water (as do I). She loves to run (as do I). She loves fire pit movie night (as do I). She loves children (as do I). Yes, she is a reflection of me and my world.

So, on this day I celebrate the birthday of my puppy dog. I can’t imagine the past seven years without her. Maddie and I have been through so much together, good and bad. She has helped me and I have helped her. Maddie is my absolute best friend! Happy Birthday, Baby Girl!