I was born and raised in the brownstone home in Brooklyn that mygrandparents had purchased in the 1920's. I have fond memories of my extended family, including grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, that grew up with me in that house. But my best childhood memories are of summers spent in Jamaica. There was a revolving door at 17 Tate Street - all the family members coming to visit all during the year. I grew up with a great appreciation for family fun and fellowship, despite our eclectic differences.

            Sadly, as Toots used to say, "blood is not thicker than water" and as the older generation passed away, the younger generation drifted apart. We're scattered all over the globe and despite the fact that technology has made the world much smaller, we are still not as close as we used to be.

                As an only child, my parents worried that I would be "lonely". Nothing could be further from the truth. I found that sisterhood can be better than family. My best friend and I have known each other for over 40 years now. And girlfriends that I became close with in my 20s are still so dear to me. We cry together, we laugh together, we make decisions together. We have woven the threads that make up the fabric of our lives together, intertwining them so closely that sometimes it is hard to see where one starts and the other leaves off. We share in each other's pains and sorrows, we celebrate each other's triumphs, and we support each other unquestionably. It was by my mother's example that I learned what true friendship meant. She squabbled throughout her life with her brother and sister, and in the end, was estranged from both of them. But Toots had girlfriends and knew the true value of those irreplaceable relationships. Our greatest gift in life is the people who cross our paths during this life's journey; often, we take them for granted.

                I was brought up in church; Dad was very religious, Toots less so. But it wasn't until a few years ago that I truly came to appreciate the spiritual essence of life. And I realized that religion is mostly man-made rules and rituals, someone's interpretation of what I must and must not do. But there's so much more to life - the "abundant life" that we are meant to embrace. There is a "peace that passes understanding". I have found that peace. My favorite verse in the Bible is John 16:33. Jesus said "These things I have spoken to you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation. But be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." With that peace comes confidence - to be empowered to the point of feeling "limitless" and to fulfill our purpose in life.

            I have come to recognize one of my purposes in life is to encourage people through my writings. Every month, I write letters and send cards to all Toots' friends, as well as anyone I know who is in a nursing home or shut-in. If you know of anyone who would love to receive correspondence, use the form on the Contact page and I will add them to my list.

            I now reside in Kew Garden Hills with my wonderful husband and soul-mate, Gary and our "family": Cleopatra the 10 year-old beagle, Mikita Kai ("Mickey") the 7 year-old husky/American eskimo, Sport the 26 year-old cherry head conure parrot, and our latest addition, Samson the betta fish.