This weekend I have really thought about what it means to “celebrate life”. It’s a phrase I find myself using frequently and with this being the one year anniversary of starting my blog, I thought it might be a “GOOD” subject to delve into further.

I think it’s important to acknowledge that there are many different ways we can “celebrate life” and for different reasons. When the 10 year anniversary of my accident just passed, I celebrated being alive and having the rest of my life ahead of me. I was thankful to have survived and also for the challenges I had been able to overcome in those 10 years of life. So I celebrated those things almost like one would a birthday, with friends, champagne, dinner and laughs.

But “celebrating life” goes beyond just the physical life. This weekend we celebrated the lives of two wonderful women with a memorial concert at “The Crane School of Music”. Dr. Heather Eyerly and Dr. Rebecca Reames were professors at Crane and both passed away in the Spring & Summer of 2017. Both women had prestigious careers in music education and each led different choirs over the years. To paraphrase remarks made by Michael Sitton, The Dean of Music at Crane, who said, the students they touched in their lifetime will now go on to spread the lessons they learned to their students and those students will do the same, helping their legacy ALWAYS live on. THAT is a true way to celebrate a person’s meaningful life if you ask me.

And then there is the other part of “Celebrating Life”. When my good friend from college, who I saw this weekend, courageously beat cancer, we celebrated her strength, her life force and the life that was saved.

To all my friends who have courageously beat cancer or something like it, survived an accident or an attack, are living with an illness of some sort (be it physical, mental or emotional), or have supported someone who has, we celebrate YOUR life!

Another friend of mine finally had the strength to leave a bad marriage that was really unhealthy. After almost 10 years of living in Texas she moved to New York City and is now engaged again to a great guy…and CELEBRATING LIFE!!

To all my expectant and new mom friends out there (you know who you are). There is no bigger life to celebrate than that of a new baby!! I want first dibs on all kisses, cuddles and snuggles!! You are heroes and we celebrate you for it.

Whether it’s a new job you’re pursuing, a move to a new city or house or that new health & wellness plan that you’re giving your all to right now, be sure you’re celebrating your body, your soul and ultimately your life. We all have something wonderful that makes each day worth it. A friend of mine put it best when he recently said “Life is so fragile. Remember the things that matter… the priorities. Don’t take them for granted, and hug your loved ones.” It’s really GOOD advice.

#singitonbim #haveastand