no time that will ever be like this...

“I've always believed in savoring the moments. In the end, they are the only things we'll have.” 
(Anna Godbersen, The Luxe)...

...once upon a time, or a long long time ago...isn't that how all great stories start...stories about far off lands, or about a prince & princess, or how good reigns over evil...it can even be about a few best friends who just happen to be sisters...who decide to take a little trip to the deserts of arizona...where they leave their lives behind for a few days & go on adventures of the deep sea (or the backyard pool), and discover the cuisine of the south (or maybe its a little in& out burger, or a cookie dessert from oregano's)...where laughter can be heard for days & stories of new and old were shared between generations...

...isn't that how great stories began...where you take some amazing people & all you have is time...where you get to be without the distractions of life...where you get to write your own stories for a few days without complication and sub in fun & relaxation...where even if you tried to write it again the exact same way it could never be duplicated...for those moments of the adventure, the laughter, the fun, the being are written on your heart forever & all at the same time you find yourself smiling because it was one hell of a story...

...no moment will ever be this...& i am so thankful and so so blessed...AZ 2013

...to leave the mark that allows the world to remember you...

“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.”

(Mark Twain)

...is to inspire the world and the world is a little better place by having you in it...& 

...even though there are so many, 2 have earned their wings, and left footprints on our hearts forever...

...i move to grand rapids, almost 3 years ago...every city has its places that are unique to them...local joints that you can only enjoy while being in the city...i was introduced by my cousin to a place called marie catrib's; a quaint little restaurant that served delicious, fresh, savory food that stood for who the owner was, not only did she create a huge success she also created a place where people loved to visit...where she would greet them with a smile or even a hug & no matter who you were, you became family...you felt her love in her food & you saw her life in the flavors that came alive on your plate; but most importantly you knew her heart every time you walked in the door or ran into her...& i, like so many, were blessed to know this woman, marie catrib, & sadly she is no longer with us, she is feeding us from heaven, & the little restaurant that was her own, carries on through her sons, through those that believed in what she created...

...ever since i was a little girl, i have many people who have touched my life from my church...one lady in particular stands out...it is almost impossible to describe her charisma, her love for life...anna nicholas, had a way about her that made anyone stop and have a conversation with her...she was creative, artsy, appreciated the idea of life and what it could bring with each passing day...she loved her husband, and her boys were the apple of her eye...she was just her, and no matter what as soon as i saw her an instant smile popped on my face...so the moment when the news came through, that heaven earned a new angel, my heart stopped for it knew that i would not see that smile as i came into church...but it knows that each time, i see a piece of cool art or one of her grand kids that is her way of throwing a smile our way...

...each women, seconds to minutes to hours to days to years touched my life, touched others & on that day they made the sky a little brighter the world stopped for a moment, shed a tear, looked to the sky & said thank you God for all that was them...

...there they were being them & leaving their mark...& if for two seconds i leave what they left behind, then wow what a mark...

...so to marie & anna, thank you for touching my life in a bigger way than i ever could imagine, my heart thanks you & my life was blessed & the world was inspired...

...cheers to the sky!