A Short Guide To A Happy Life

Hope Floats

12"x36"

Mixed Media on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

In Progress..........

This morning as I was listening to The Sunday Edition with Michael Enright on CBC,  I was surprised to learn one of my favourite authors was about to be interviewed. .....  I love Anna Quindlen.  I've always enjoyed her books, her sense of humor and her uncanny ability to write characters that you feel you may in some way or another,  know.  Her books make me think about them long after I've turned the last page.

About six years ago around Christmas time I was in a Chapters,  just wandering around looking at books and I eventually came across "A Short Guide to A Happy Life".  It is a small book laced with words strung together so beautifully you can't help but stand there and read the entire thing...which is exactly what I did.
That day I bought seven copies and gave them to my closest friends as Christmas gifts...I kept one for myself and after hearing Anna Quindlen speak today I went looking for it.  I imagine to say I sent looking for it was an understatement as I actually turned the house upside down trying to remember where I put it.

At some point I gave up and decided it wasn't meant to be found yet.

This June my oldest daughter graduates high school and in September leaves for university.  I wish I were as great a writer as Anna Quindlen so I could have written this to her before she leaves.

Anna Quindlen's commencement addresss to Villanova University.......

On The Go

Yesterday my beautiful first born baby turned 17. I looked at her and could feel nothing but love and pride at how wonderful a young woman she has turned out to be. I'm not taking any of the credit as my part and her dads was quite small. But if I had to take the credit I would take the loving, kind part and John can take the stubborn part.......o.k I'm only kidding!

Last night also turned out to be the university open house where all the schools show up to recruit a new batch of students who are looking to head off next fall. I didn't hold out much for the presentations but in the end it turned out to be quite informative and gave Sierah a better idea of what would work best for her. When I glanced over as she asked a question I couldn't help but notice at how grown up and independent she had become. For a split second I thought I may start to cry and totally embarrass her and have everyone thinking her mother may have emotional issues but I thankfully held it together in the end. I am excited for her and for the opportunities that will be there for the taking. Her life will open up in ways that she has never dreamed possible and truthfully, there is no one I know that is more ready to embark on a new chapter in their life then Sierah..................my beautiful, independent baby.