Happy Snowy Thursday

In life, everything changes. That’s probably a good thing. Nothing should stay the same forever. As people we have to personally evolve.

But we shouldn't take for granted the few consistencies that managed to stay present in our lives. The little things that have been able to make us smile since we were young; hot fudge on top of ice cream, a summer vacation spot or the giddiness leading up to Christmas.

One thing in my life that has never changed is my best friend and her excitement over the first snow fall of the season. Most people get less excited over snow as they get older, especially in the Northeast. But she has never lost her enthusiasm.

Since we first met in middle school, she’d greet me with the words “Happy Snowy Monday (or whatever the day was in late October when she spotted the first flurry)!

The same stay trued in high school. She’d whisper it across a classroom or wait for me in the hall between classes. “Happy Snowy Tuesday!”

In college she’d call me in Philly to let me know it had flurried in Scranton. “Happy Snowy Wednesday!”

Whether she realizes it or not, she is the person who has always reminded me to take pleasure in the small things. It brings me great joy to know that something so small can still make her so happy. It brings me an even greater joy that she still thinks to share her excitement with me after all these years. She is one of the constants in my life. And the first snow fall will always be one of the constants of our friendship.

This afternoon it snowed, just a little, and sure enough I got a text.

Happy Snowy Thursday!

My Obituary

I woke up this morning to find my name in the local obituaries. Obviously, I knew if I was breathing as I read the obituary it simply couldn’t be about me! Just to be sure I read a little closer; our middle initials were different and this woman had 57 years on me.*PHEW* But still, seeing my name in print along with funeral arrangements made me think about my own mortality. I thought about what I’d want my own obituary to say.

I have plans to volunteer my time, travel the world, appreciate the arts, and challenge myself mentally and physically. Yet, I fear I’ll never be as great as I’d like to be, and my obituary will read “her intentions were always greater than her actions”.

Perhaps if I write my own obituary now, I’ll have no choice but to live up to my own expectations. (Much the same as using this blog to announce I’d run a 10 mile race. Once it was public I had to follow through. And I did!)

I’d like the final thoughts of my life to read something like this:

Elizabeth Richardson, 87, passed away Sunday in her home.

Elizabeth earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from Temple University and a Master’s Degree in Communication Arts from Marywood University. She had a short stint as a game show host before going on to work as the Director of Media Relations for the Make A Wish Foundation. Her innovative ideas and sheer genius helped the organization grow by leaps and bounds. Her work not only helped terminally ill children live out their dreams, but also reminded people of the humbling importance of charity. Her work made the world a better place. Upon retirement, Elizabeth spent much of her time at her shore home.

She vacationed on tropical islands and visited 6 continents. Elizabeth ran with the bulls in Spain, parasailed in Fiji, rode a camel in Egypt, ziplined in Costa Rica and hiked through Italy and France. She attended the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and several Olympic Games. Stateside, she ran half marathons, attended concerts at historic venues such as the Grand Ole Opry and the Beacon Theater. She’s attended a baseball game at every MLB stadium and was a season ticket holder for her beloved Phillies. She was present at 3 of their World Series appearances.

Elizabeth enjoyed going to Broadway shows, both musical and straight plays. Each year she attended at least one performance of the New York City Ballet. She was a major contributor to the arts in her hometown, making it possible for young children to be exposed to the benefits of the performing arts.

Elizabeth outlived most of her family and friends as well as her trusty golden retriever Briscoe, but often spoke of being reunited with them.

Of course this is just a rough draft and I left out the part about my (abnormally handsome) rich husband and our brilliant twins (a boy who grows up to be a professional hockey player and a girl who cures breast cancer). Those are minor details that I just can’t be absolutely sure of at this time.

But the point is I want to live….really live, and more much more than this I’ll do it my way; just like Frank!