I posted a memory last week from 2016. This has been a brutal election season. This year I decided not to have discussions about politics. It was a horrible year for me on so many levels and I could not take losing friends or family over the presidential election. When this memory popped up I could picture their faces. It was a bucket list trip that left me in tears. A brother and sister from Kent, near London, came to my Expedia desk in Hawaii along with his wife. She had moved to Florida, he to Brisbane. He had pancreatic cancer and would likely be dead in four months. The reason they were there was to tour Pearl Harbor. He wanted the full day which his wife said was too long. He would get tired. Could he really navigate the steps on the submarine? But he was adamant. It had [...]

This is one of my favorite pictures of my grandson. The joy on that kid's face is such a delight. Just looking at this picture makes me happy. It makes me wonder what I can do to make something laugh and be childlike even when they are no longer a child. Days are getting shorter and the darkness and gloom can be depressing. When we were looking for houses the realtor never mentioned that this or any other house was north facing. In Hawaii, it kind of never mattered. We loved the character, that there was a first-floor bath and laundry room, that the bedrooms were large enough for king beds, sorry, the guests got a queen, and that we could walk so many places. We never considered how much sunlight we'd get. The answer? Not much. When it's sunny and the temps are okay, I am outside. I'm walking [...]

In September I went to New Jersey for my niece's wedding. My three sisters came from Houston and we all stayed at my nephew's house. I enjoyed spending time with Brandon and his wife Crystal and their talented and engaging son, Chase. One afternoon Chase wanted to go to the library and so I went with them. I am a sucker for libraries and this one was pretty amazing, especially the kid's section. While Chase and his mom were talking to the librarian, I walked around marveling at all the programs and clubs offered. A group of middle school girls walked towards me followed by a man about my age lagging behind. "I like your earrings," said one of the girls. "Thank you," I replied thinking how awesome it was that someone so young could just walk up to an adult and pay them a compliment. Without thinking twice I [...]