Wednesday's Wish List

I'd be a happy camper if this was today's to-do list...

Listen to music
Take random pictures around the city
Eat chocolate truffles
Eat Pinkberry's
Sit on a park bench
Start reading Audacity of Hope
Drink a couple beers

Suffice it to say, I'm not a happy camper.

 

WTF! Make it stop.

Migraine. That's it. Two syllables for this ginormous pain. How to explain how bad it is? Try this.

Machete.

I can use one now.

Happy 60th Birthday, Mom

Today is the day to spread love. We should say I Love You to the world, to our friends, family, acquaintances, passers-by; we should show love in its many, splendid forms.

It’s ironic that today was chosen as the day of love. I literally stopped loving on this day nine years ago. My heart lost its capacity to give or receive love. I’ve actually forgotten what it is. Nine years ago today my mother slipped into a coma, on her 51st birthday. She never regained consciousness and passed away two days later. A large part of me did, too.

My mother was my constant, my base. I lost my bearing when she died. She alone fostered my independence and curiosity; my love of reading, learning, and travel. She taught me to question authority, to challenge the status quo, to accept only what’s good and honest. Yet, she didn’t live long enough to see me living out her dreams for me.

I’m sad about that. I’m sad about a lot of things.

It makes me sad that I can’t share good news, great times, old memories, new plans with my mother. There’s a touch of bittersweet to all the high points and a healthy dose of bereftness in the low.

My saddest and most guilt-inducing memory is that my last words to my mother, nine years ago today, were words of hurt, not love. That memory is on freeze-frame in my heart, leaving no chance for repair and reuse of the still-grieving organ. Though my heart’s capacity for love diminished, I didn’t stop caring; I care deeply. But that’s as close as I could get. Until today.

Today I’m committing to change. Today, I am embracing Love. In honor of my mother, who was the first person to love me and the last person I truly loved.

Happy birthday, Mom. Be at peace.

Today Show's Toyota Summer Concert Series 2009

I'll admit, I don't get excited about too many things. But, each year I look forward to the Summer Concert Series on the Today Show. I've never actually gone down the Rockefeller Plaza with the throngs of tourists and teenagers. I stay home and watch on TV and usually get to work late. (Shhh, don't tell my boss.) But, this year I think I will brave the crowds to see some great performances live.

Here's the 2009 lineup. If You're in town on the dates in bold, shoot me a line – we can go together.

May 1: No Doubt
May 8: New Kids On The Block & Special Guest
May 15: Jennifer Hudson
May 22: Fall Out Boy
May 29: Taylor Swift
June 5: The Dave Matthews Band
June 12: Black Eyed Peas
June 19: Jonas Brothers
June 26: The Fray
July 3: Rob Thomas
July 10: Rascal Flatts
July 17: The All American Rejects
July 24: Katy Perry
July 31: Kings of Leon
Aug 7: Jason Mraz
Aug 14: Flo Rida
Aug 21: Natasha Bedingfield
Aug 28: TBA