Kim

Kim

(I wanna be just like her)

Does anyone remember that old Gatorade commercial about Michael Jordan with the song "I wanna be like Mike"? Careful! Don't Google it, or you won't be able to get that song out of your head for days. Well, I have a similar song that goes round and round in my head but the lyrics are slightly different. They go…"I wanna be like Kim."

I've never really considered myself much of a "wannabe" as far as envying people that seem to have more than me in the way of wealth, beauty or fame. But I have to admit that I am a "wannabe" when it comes to someone with a mind and a spirit and a heart that just won't stop. Well, that person in my life is my dear friend Kim. So, don't judge me, people, but I WANNA BE LIKE KIM! I'm fairly certain that you would too if you knew her.

Here's why. She never ages! She still has that youthful exuberance and ability to make everything fun no matter where she is or what she is doing. Can the rest of us say that?? I would like to think that I can (sorta), but I realize that I am really such a slacker whenever I'm around her. For one thing… she never sleeps! At least I have never seen her sleep. When I visit her, she is still up when I go to bed at night and has been awake for hours when I wake up the next morning. Not just awake, mind you, but she has probably already baked a cake, had coffee with a friend, ridden her bike down to the beach, and vacuumed the entire house by the time I drag my lazy rear end out of bed.

It is absolutely amazing to follow her around and watch her mind at work. Always thinking and creating and planning….you can almost see the wheels spinning and the gears turning in her head. She modestly admits that she is like the shark that must continuously swim lest he stop swimming and drown. I think she just doesn't have that key that turns one's mind off. Just once, I'd like to borrow a little of her DNA. I promise I would give it back but I want to know what it''s like to have a mind that is always in hyperdrive.

Kim is my technology guru. She is always at the forefront of the latest technology, knowledge-wise. Photography, computers, you name it. Whenever my husband and I want to buy something but are too lazy to do the research, his standard comment is "Call Kim."

She is so very generous and fun-loving. She makes me laugh. Con-stant-ly. Like to the point where I sometimes wet my pants. Sorry, but it's true. CAUTION to ALL: never hang around Kim with a full bladder!

Kim has friends from all walks of life. From the rich and famous to the much less fortunate. She treats them all the same - as if they were the most important people in the world. Because to her, they are. And I'm pretty certain that most of them consider her to be one of their dearest friends just as I do.

I could go on and on about my friend Kim, but in an attempt to spare you even more verbage, I will simply list just a few of the m-a-n-y lessons I have learned from her during our nearly thirty years of friendship. Feel free to use them yourself at no charge. I like to call this list:

LESSONS I HAVE LEARNED FROM KIM:

l. It is always so much better to give than to receive (we all know this but few of us actually practice it)

2. Treat strangers with the same compassion you would treat your dearest friends

3. Never settle for being ordinary or predictable

4. Life is a gift so make the most of each day you are given - from sunrise to sunset

5. Take good care of your belongings and never be wasteful

6. Preserve ALL your memories with photographs

7. There is always something to laugh about - do it often

8. Encourage your children to be independent thinkers

9. Use every single neuron in your brain - don't waste a single cell

10. Go out of your way to make others feel special

11. Brush your teeth often (but really, 10-20 times a day is a little much, don't you think?)

12. Live music is always best

13. Never buy at Neimann's what you can find at Big Lots or TJMaxx

14. Take long walks on the beach whenever you can

15. NEVER miss an opportunity to watch the sun set!

I'm sure that after reading this, you'll understand why "I wanna be like Kim" (can you hear the music?).

She inspires me to live a fuller life.

.

George

(Note: these glasses are back in style! )

All right, already! For those of you that have mentioned that I have only talked about inspiring women so far, let me introduce you to a most inspiring man in my life.

Meet George. George was my mother's husband of thirty plus years. He was her Knight in Shining Armor. He entered Mom's life when she was forty two and she had pretty much given up any hopes of finding her soul mate. (Note to all single women out there: never never never give up hope!) He was the kindest, gentlest, most generous, lovingest (?) man I have ever known. (Except, of course, my very own personal soul mate.) I'm not sure I will ever know another man with as much integrity and devotion to his family as this man.

Already a devoted father of two adult children that he adored, George immediately accepted me as his step-daughter and treated me as if I were his own. You don't find that very often, folks. Step-children are usually looked upon as a necessary evil that just happens to come with the package. When my sons came along, he considered them his own as well. And what a grandpa he was to all his grandchildren! My boys are still convinced that he single-handedly won WWII in Italy where he was stationed as a Logistics Officer. He told them an abundance of war stories, as well as a few fish stories that he loved to tell to anyone else that would listen!

In addition to his kindness and generosity , George was also an unbelievable optimist….sometimes ad nauseum, I have to say. Not really, but he had the most positive outlook on life of anyone I have ever known! He loved everyone and was convinced that all mankind is as good and honest and generous as he was. Not wanting to burst his bubble, we all simply went along with this rosy outlook. And why not???

When George retired from his lifelong career, he insisted that my mom retire too so that they could travel together. She had worked most of her life and now this amazing man was insisting that she only needed to be with him! So sweet! And what do you think his favorite pastime besides travelling was? Golf golf golf golf golf golf and more golf! He was never more happy than when he was on the golf course with his son or his golfing buddies. And he had not one, not two, not three, four, five or six but SEVEN, count 'em, SEVEN "Holes in One" in his lifetime!

Well, that positive outlook on life never left George. Not even when he was diagnosed with lung cancer several years ago. He never gave up hope that the day would come that he would be back out on that golf course. And I don't recall ever hearing him complain throughout his entire illness, even when he was confined to a wheel chair and required constant nursing care. Now THAT'S just crazy!

We lost George on November 30, 2006, but we all find comfort in knowing that we will see him again and can't wait to get a big ol' George Bearhug on the other side of those pearly gates.

Rest in Peace Dear Husband, Father, Step-father, Grandfather, Friend…..we'll love you forever!