My Father's Hand

I'm 22 years old....and by our society's standard (and my own) I am an adult.

I have a job, a home, a fiance, and a dog. I make big decisions (like moving across the country) and I make big mistakes (like misplacing my fiance's credit card!!....fixed. Don't worry!)

But make no mistake, I am still Daddy's little girl. I still adore being held by him, and confiding in him as I have done for so very long. And when I hold his hand, my world is right. Nothing is to big for my Dad and I to conquer together. He calls me Rocky because I am like him: determined, strong-willed, driven to succeed, and unwilling to let my circumstances overcome me.

He has taught me about love, life, integrity, and putting family first. He has modeled all of these values for me by the way he lives his own life. He has always supported me and he always will. He calls me everyday to tell me how much he loves me.

I'm 22 years old....but I miss him everyday. My first nickname from him was Teddy Bear, because all I wanted to do as a little girl was sit on his lap, hold his hand.

My Dad's hand is like his life: big and strong and weathered by a life of hard work. His confidence is seen in every move he makes. And his faith is displayed in every interaction he has.

My Dad is a great man, he's my man. And I am so thankful for him.

My Dad just celebrated his 51st birthday on November 27th, and I couldn't be more proud of the man he is: the son, the husband, the father, the grandfather, the friend, the employee, and the boss he is to everyone in his life.

I don't care how old I get, when I see my Dad, I will never stop reaching for his hand.

I love you, Daddy, always and forever.

Then You Stand

Its easy to be thankful when life is easy...when you don't need to make lemonade because life simply hands you a Long Island. When you are content with your job, your family and friends and, in my case, your passport stamps...which I never am :).


Its when things are going wrong, when you can't seem to catch a break, that being thankful is not only hard to do, but imperative.  Character is developed when you are stretched to your limit, when it takes courage to start each day, and when you know that just because you do, doesn't mean things will get better.


Epicurus once said, "You don't develop courage by being happy in your relationships everyday. You develop it by surviving difficult times and challenging adversity."


Finding the silver lining is what makes life worth living. A life without adversity, without hardships to overcome would be...boring. Maybe its just my personality, maybe I'm an anomaly....I wouldn't be surprised. But I find myself happier when I have to fight for it. When my relationships are real and honest and take courage to maintain. When my job is stressful and overwhelming and almost too much to handle. I am most thankful when I can lay my head down at night knowing I gave that day every ounce of strength and determination that I have in me. That I didn't let my day, my life, pass me by, but rather I grabbed on to it with both hands and squeezed as much out of it as I could. 


I never hope or pray for tough times, and often wish their speedy departure from my life, but I have learned to be content, no matter my circumstances. To give thanks not only despite them, but because of them.


Cause when push comes to shove
You taste what you're made of
You might bend till you break
Cause it's all you can take
On your knees you look up
Decide you've had enough
You get mad, you get strong
Wipe your hands, shake it off
Then you stand.


~ Rascal Flatts

College. Football.

Its love.

Fall days spent cheering for a sport that hundreds of thousands of Americans intensely follow, year after year. It does not matter if I am in the stadium with thousands of other people or at home on my couch by myself. There is something enrapturing about this sport to me. My earliest memories are of Monday Night Football with my dad and brothers. My best memories are tailgating at K-State games, boulevarding at SMU, singing the Texas Fight Song at the top of my lungs with my sister by my side, or watching a tremendous Michigan State comeback with my fiance.

I love sitting in a stadium shoulder to shoulder with complete strangers and knowing the only bond we share are the colors we wear, and the pride we hold in our hearts.

Their is something so pure about college football. Don't misunderstand, I love the NFL (GO PATS!), but in college, its not about money, its not about sponsorships as much as it is about the love of the game. They are out their to win for winnings sake. For their alma mater. For their colors. For their friends and girlfriends and parents.

College football unites old men who are crippled by a lifetime of hard work with young, ambitious men who are rearing to go at all the possibilities ahead.

No matter the political climate of the country, the economic state, or the unemployment statistics. For three hours on Saturday, there is only one thing that matters. The scoreboard.
It is a simple reality. A coping mechanism for those who are suffering under the weight of this wary world. It brings people together and creates a sense of identity. Even if only for a while.

College football is not magical, it just renews hope.
No matter what happened on the field last week, there is always this week to remedy it.
It brings back the vitality of youth.
These young boys get knocked down, over and over again....yet they continually pick themselves up.

Being a college football is simply, and utterly fun.

Puppy Love

Oh how I adore my puppy! He is so sweet and no matter what, always has a slobbery kiss waiting for me.

Their is something so endearing about the innocence and devotion of a dog, and as ridiculous as it may sound, I learn a lot from my sweet Froggie.

Froggie never worries, he just lets life float by, barely lifting his eyelids at the comings and goings of those around him.
Froggie never whines, he just patiently waits for me to see his point of view( and generally the only thing he has a point of view about is going outside to use the bathroom).
Froggie takes joy out of the simplest pleasures in life ( as I have written this, and countless emails in the last hour, his sole focus has been his yellow squeaky ball).
Froggie only knows love. He loves the people in the elevator, the construction workers outside the apt complex, and of course his mom and dad.

So maybe Froggie has the right idea. Maybe truly living is slowing down, enjoying the simplest of pleasures, and truly loving those around you. Not a bad sounding plan to me....and the first thing I'm going to enjoy is my little puppy.

Hold on, but let go...make plans, but learn to break them.

Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road.
Time grabs you by the wrist and directs you where to go.
So make the best of this test and don't ask why,
Its not a question but a lesson learned in time...
Its something unpredictable, but in the end its right...
I hope you have the time of your life.

So take the photographs, the still frames in your mind.
Hang it on a shelf in good health and good time.
Tattoos of memories and dead skin on trial,
For what its worth it was worth all the while....
Its something unpredictable, but in the end its right.
I hope you have the time of your life.

A Cup of Christmas Cheer

On my way in to work this morning I saw a man crossing the street holding a Starbucks four-cup carrier.....best part? They were the Starbucks CHRISTMAS CUPS!!

It was a blustery morning but something about those cheerful red cups with snowflake decor made my day a little warmer from the inside out. I know its a little early to be thinking about Christmas...Thanksgiving has yet to come...but I do love this time of year. Everyone has an energetic bounce to their step, a coy smile of a Christmas shopper on their lips, and a warm-hearted greeting on their tongue.

Forget the big, overdone, materialistic Christmas messages of TV commercials. What I love? The five senses of the holiday season.

Smelling my mom's pumpkin bread and Christmas cookies hot out of the oven.
Tasting Christmas ale with my fiance, or catching snowflakes on my tongue.
Feeling the wind whip my cheeks to a bright, cheerful pink, or the big hugs of welcome and love I get and give at family gatherings.
Hearing the oh-so-familiar holiday tunes that bring back years of childhood memories made and laughter relived.
Touching the hearts of the needy through giving of myself, my time, and my money to those less fortunate.

Yes, I was excited to see the Christmas cups....and all that they bring.

Monday Morning Blues

There is no doubt about it. Monday morning blues are as inevitable as the alarm clock ringing in your ear. At least four conversations I had at work today started with "Well its Monday again..." and everyone seems to want to tack on three more days to the cruelly short weekend.

I once heard that the only sure things in life are death and taxes. Guess I can add Mondays to that list.

But at the same time, Mondays are a fresh start. A new week with no mistakes made yet. Another chance to better myself professionally...and more importantly personally. Mondays are a gift. Maybe they are just wrapped in unattractive packaging at times.

Nevertheless, time is of the essence and if I spend my whole week wishing for Friday, I will end up only enjoying 2 days a week. My life is too short for that. I've decided to "unwrap" Mondays with renewed energy and positivity....because, after all, its a long week ahead before it gets to be Monday again!

Something about sunshine...

It makes your day a little brighter,
Your step a little lighter,
and your heart sing a little louder.

I love the sun on crisp, cool mornings...
...and on hot, steamy afternoons.