This has been a very emotional week. I was privileged to sing for a memorial service honoring an amazing man who, among many truly remarkable life accomplishments, was one of the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division paratroopers landing in Normandy, France on D-Day. He had many medals, awards and well-earned Presidential praise and recognition during his military career, but it was his ongoing spirit of curiosity about life and his engaging smile, and positive attitude that was most often recalled during the service celebrating his life. He touched so many lives, and it was very apparent that he made people feel more alive and enriched by conversation and interaction. The quotation used on his memorial program captures the essence of his personal motto, by author John Burroughs: "I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to see. The longer I live, the more my mind dwells upon the beauty and the wonder of the world."

I hope that I will be so energized, curious, grateful, and engaged if I live into my mid-90s!
The next deeply emotional experience came about from a gathering of dear friends with whom I recently reconnected. We have formed an intentional circle of spiritual support, to sustain each one in our creative explorations of our passion and purpose in life. It is a powerful affirmation of the biblical teaching, "Wherever two or more are gathered..." The sense of being in the flow of Spirit, uplifted by prayer and sharing from the heart is a gift I cherish, and for which I am ever grateful!

The following day, Saturday, was the annual event called Elephant Fest, which is the gathering of those who "remember those who forget", the Alzheimer's Support Network in Naples, FL. This is such a wonderful, vital group of people, who have been quietly working miracles for families and caregivers dealing with Alzheimer's -- for 30 years!! The Elephant Fest is their only fund-raising event, and they do not receive funding from the national Alzheimer's initiative. Yet they support thousands of struggling souls as they make the journey through love and loss that is Alzheimer's. I simply cannot give enough praise for their dedication and unflagging help to all in Collier Country who request their support. They offer workshops, bring in nationally known speakers, help families dealing with difficult behaviors, residential care placement assistance, and programs designed to allow family caregivers to bring their loved ones to a safe, protected environment, while the caregivers enjoy a couple hours' respite. They are unsung heroes (and sheroes) in this overwhelming world of Alzheimer's Disease.

The Elephant Fest is held at a unique Naples attraction: The Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens. This excellent location adds a festive, wild flavor to the day, which includes visiting the animal attractions, food & face-painting, feeding giraffes, taking boat rides on the lake, and a sweet, loving memorial service at lakeside where loved ones are remembered by floating flowers on the lake. It is a touching tribute made all the more special by the beautiful setting.

Though I have sung for this event for many years, each time it is a bit different in feeling. There were many more gathered than I recall from years past, no doubt because the numbers of families affected by AD is escalating daily. There were tears, yes, but also smiles through them, hugs of encouragement, words of connection and healing and hope. And there were moments of laughter, too. One such lighter moment was when the monkeys on an island in the lake joined me for the opening of one of my solos! It's a humbling experience to be upstaged by monkeys. Loud, howling monkeys! Luckily, they only grabbed the spotlight for a few bars, then lost interest. It was funny that they didn't "sing" along on any of the other songs, but waited until a large audience was assembled before making their very vocal contribution :) The other kind of stunning moment, that was for me alone, came as I was just beginning to sing, prior to the service, waiting for people to gather. In mid-song, I glanced up, and met the gaze of a regal lioness who was seated on a large platform in an enclosure just across from me. She looked directly at me, calmly checking me out, ears flicking to listen, then I apparently passed muster, because she laid down and relaxed there during the other songs. Whew, am I glad she was not in a critical mood!

The weekend also included a very moving church service which highlighted those who have served our country, honoring and remembering them in music, word, prayer and spirit. The playing of Taps, with two trumpets, one echoing the other from the balcony, brought tears, as did the deeply thoughtful, insightful sermon, about the Greatest Generation and how our generation needs to be great to foster the future.

And then, on Veteran's Day, I was again honored to sing a memorial for a man who, also a decorated veteran, touched many lives through his work with the YMCA and was a role model and mentor for so many young men as they grew up -- many of whom took time to come and offer a tribute after 50 years!

So much emotion. So many memories. It occurs to me that it is not enough to remember, honor and reflect on those who have gone, but we must open our hearts to let their life lessons and learning meld with our own. And  then act from that deepest wisdom, love, and example to bring positive change to our own world. To focus our energy, creativity and love on living Life, with our entire being. To take the wonderful examples of dedication, service, strength and honor, and transmute them into human intention and action in this present moment. So, while I am saddened by losing so many of our greatest generation, I am also enriched by their loving service and wisdom, and will seek to transform these emotions into motion. Living a life that is informed by these principles and putting them into daily practice in my own life and service is the very highest tribute I can offer!

As another birthday approaches, I find that I am in a very introspective mood -- consciously counting my blessings, past and present. They have been both abundant and deeply moving and my heart is filled with gratitude! As I reflect on the spirit of birthdays past, what better time to give tribute to the woman who helped form the person I am today?  Through nature and nurture, DNA and devotion, my mother is such an intrinsic part of me that I'm not even always aware of the depth of the blessings she bestowed. And I can still be caught off-guard when one of her timely cliches pops out of my mouth. (The tumultuous teenager in me rolls her eyes when this happens, but the adult me smiles and recognizes wisdom.)

My mother was the embodiment of loving kindness and compassion. She simply lived her philosophy by daily application of it. She gave to others through her nursing skills healing veterans and, later in her career, providing tender care to children in the hospital; to her family she gave unstintingly of her time, attention and wisdom in both ordinary and amazing ways; helping friends, neighbors and even the occasional stranger with a cheerful, generous heart was her trademark. Mom used to say she never met a stranger, meaning that strangers became friends.

One of her favorite pastimes was sharing roses from her garden. This became a bonding language of love between us, as each mother's day I would buy and plant new rosebush in her yard. This simple pleasure brought joy to both of us, and by extension to others.

My Mom gave in tangible ways. She drove a sick friend to a doctor's appointment, took a pie or casserole, books & magazines to shut-ins, prepared meals for her family -- yes, this was back in the day when families actually ate most of their meals together, sitting down around a table with food, drink and conversation.  It saddens me to think that so many of the younger generation have no concept of this experience.

One of my fondest memories is coming home after school to be enfolded in that wonderful aroma of freshly baked bread, and treated to a still-warm-from-the-oven slice of motherly love!

I was truly blessed this week to meet a lovely new friend and experience an immediate heart connection. We spent several hours pouring out our stories, many centered around our mothers, and felt a soul-deep sharing in perfect trust and understanding -- recognizing a kindred spirit in each other. A stranger became a friend through the alchemy of love and sharing. What a joy this is and how rare! Instead, we tend to rush through our lives in such a flurry of work, worry and demands, that we make a living, but often forget the importance of making a Life. Had I been completely focused on the everyday grind, I would have missed this extraordinary gift!

So, on this birthday, I remember the special, unique blessings of life--the ones that cannot be found in any store, or even online :)  I bask in the warmth of shared moments of extraordinary love, friendship and connection and cherish them for the treasure they are. I can see my mother, picking a perfect rose from her garden to take to someone who needed a bit of cheering up, and know that the fragrance of that rose lingered on her giving hand, as the joy of her love lingers in my soul. Today, I will pick a perfect rose from my garden and follow my mother's example. That will make the happiest of birthdays!