Mom

My mom, with whom I've had my ups and down, is tougher than I ever thought possible. She has Alzheimers, and pneumonia, and she's still hanging on.

I've often wonder where I got my strength. If I put aside some of the anger that I have felt in my life and really look deep inside, my Mom has been a source of great strength for me. I didn't always agree with her choices, however, she was the one that said many things that resonate with me today. She encouraged me to go against the grain. I remember her saying "Just because someone else does it, doesn't mean you have to." I'm sure everyone heard that at one point of their upbringing. As a child, I never did anything I didn't want to do. My mom always supported me. Even in high school when I took an art class where the teacher gave me a "not so great" grade on an art project I took a lot of time to create. I asked the teacher how he could possibly grade an artist's work. I always thought that if I didn't like a piece of art created by someone else, it was because it was THEIR vision and not mine, and that's okay. Just as I wouldn't expect someone else to judge my vision if someone didn't like my artwork. My Mom supported me! Shocking, but true. I held to my belief on interpreting art, and I still feel the same way as I did back then, at age 14. Thank you, Mom.

Mom is proving to me that she is a trooper. I hate that word, but I can't think of another description right now. She had a better day today. She's clearer and can breathe better. She may actually recover from pneumonia and move down to Florida into assisted living near our home. I don't know how much more time she has on this Earth (or anyone for that matter), but I'd like to spend some quality time with her.

When anger is released, and we don't hold onto the past hurts, it's amazing how the sky opens up and there are all kinds of possibilities. I've learned many things in this life, but this is, by far, one of the most important lessons. Let it go. Don't hang onto it. Make it better. It will require taking a leap of faith, but I have taken many chances in my life, and almost every chance was worth it. I'm sure this leap will be one of them.

Prince

Prince.

I can't stand it! Another amazing artist gone. In the 80's, he was one of my favorites and his music defined that time for me. I will forever remember the first time I heard his music at Montego Bay in Belmar, NJ.

I don't believe in "R.I.P." A body dies, but their energy lives on!

My two top favorite Prince songs!

Let's Go Crazy (first one I ever heard!)

Baby I'm a Star (Reminds me of someone!)

Out.

Pat