If I Had to Give an Acceptance Speech I’d Be Screwed

I was doing so well keeping up with this challenge on consecutive days, but this weekend was a busy one. I was lucky enough to help with the Forever Jordan Foundation’s (FJF) Take A Bite Out of Rockland event on Saturday. It was the fundraiser’s debut and boy was it a success! Congratulations!

Because of the event I also got to spend some special quality time with my sister Joann. We stayed up until after midnight on Friday night baking dozens of mini black & white cookies to contribute to the FJF fundraiser. We always seem to laugh until we cry when we spend time together. Add that to the delirium of sugar overload from taste testing the confections and the late hour and you definitely have a recipe for a good time.

Today’s list is challenging because I have waaaaaayyyyy more than five people in my life who mean a lot. Plus I am catholic and the guilt of leaving people out gives me agida (see, I’m Italian too, so that’s a double whammy of guilt!). Watching all the award shows this season I really feel for the winners as they give their acceptance speeches trying to squeeze in everyone that they need to thank and then that dreaded wrap-it-up music starts to play. If I had to give an acceptance speech I’d totally be screwed.

So bear with me here as I tackle this particular list in my own way in a wrap-it-up music-free zone.

Day Six: Five people who mean a lot (in no order whatsoever).

My siblings. My three brothers and three sisters who are the roots of my family. They are the connection to family traditions, anecdotes and treasures. No matter how far apart we may be from one another, we are always connected.
My nieces & nephews. They are the link to the future. The ones who will continue to carry on the traditions that were taught to my siblings by our parents. They are smiles, and giggles, and hope.
Auntie & Uncle Steve. One of the most beautiful love stories I’ve ever known. Married for 60 years. A shared faith that can move mountains. They have been a second set of parents to me.
My friends. Wacky, silly, serious, talented, creative, caring, loving, forgiving. They accept me for who I am. Help me along the path of becoming who I am meant to be.
My Mama & Daddy. Without them I wouldn’t be here. Although they have passed away and are not here physically, they are still a part of my daily life. Their love comforts me and inspires me. I can still hear my beautiful Mama singing to me “pick yourself up, brush yourself off and start all over again” and my sweet, stubborn Daddy saying “shit or get off the pot!”. I strive to be a person they can be proud to watch over from heaven.