Andy Bear And His New Blog

Every now and then, someone comes along in your life and they find a way into your heart.

And you know it’s forever.

My friends Lisa & Andrew – college friends – are like that. So, too, are their kids – Andy and Cami.

Andy is a wealth of knowledge about sports – especially anything Spurs. He’s funny and smart and loves his family and friends – and he is the most gentle soul I know.

Cami is just a bundle of energy, who never met a camera she didn’t like – a budding actress with a big, bright smile and a generous, kind spirit.

I describe The Ramon Family (briefly) because they have quite a story to tell – especially Andy Bear (his nickname since forever) – who just started his own blog,   from his hospital room at Santa Rosa Children’s Hospital.

I know I will be reading it regularly – I hope you join me.

Andy’s journey likely has lessons for us all.

I Love U 2 Pieces *

Gertie Lou & Winston & Bernice

You stand there… you sit there… you love me… and I am grateful.

Sitting resplendent in your yellow dress, you are magnificent, every ounce the Queen, though you never knew it.

Standing guard in your white uniform, you twist your hands, playing with the nails on your thumbs, ready for anything

(you were always ready for anything).

And perched on my beloved red tricycle – red and orange tassles hanging from the handlebars like streamers ready to fly off at a moment’s notice -

I ride on, bracing for whatever comes my way.

I remember many nights laying my head on your chests, nuzzled in your soft, cozy arms, delighted by your smiles, your chatter,

your instant approval.

(But make no mistake, there were scoldings, too.)

I was safe, snuggled in the warmth of you, your hand-made afghans and cozy nightgowns.

But I always had the same wish when I threw a penny in the fountain at NorthPark: that I would go first so I wouldn’t

ever, ever, ever have to find my way without you.

Even as I tried to force my cats and dogs to love each other

(figuring that if I loved them so much, they should love each other, too),

you watched patiently, amused.

You patched up my scrapes, scratches and stubbed toes when

I tangled with the wrong tree.

Now, so many years later, I know my life without your lessons of love would be bland at best.

(A dose of reality here: I was spoiled by your treats – the cream puffs, chocolate eclairs and Angel Food Cakes – thanks to you, sweets hold no allure for me as a grown woman.)

Oh, my.

You stood… you watched… you loved… and you taught.

You helped bring me to me, and for that, Gertie Lou and Winston,

I Love U 2 Pieces*.

* ” I Love U 2 Pieces” is the way Gertie Lou (seated in the yellow dress) would end her letters to my great-grandmother Bernice Ryan Mills when they wrote to one another. I just love that. *

** I wrote this essay from my heart, but it also was written as part of a writing experiment initiated by my friend Dawn, who’s taking a writing class and thought it would be fun to share the experience and the homework.

This essay is my homework.

Here was the assignment.

I think everyone should try, too

(and post your essay in the comments section).

The Adventure (Club) Continues

Looking for something to do on Thursday night?

How about checking out Adventure Club of San Antonio ???
They’re hosting a Meet & Greet at Mamacita’s Restaurant & Cantina on I-10 between Medical & Callaghan.

The event runs Thursday, February 18th from 6:30pm – 8:30pm.

The event is open to the public, and is a chance for people who may be interested in finding out what Adventure Club is all about. Members will be there – the monthly meet & greet is their most widely-attended event – so you can ask all the questions you like to find out if it’s something you might be interested in joining.

I’m also delighted that they’ll be taking book donations for Abby’s Book Corner-San Antonio – and have asked me to say a few words about the project.

* A special thank-you to friends Dirk Davidek and his lovely bride Beverly

for giving me a chance to keep spreading the love about this cause *

Here’s more on the event – hope to see you there!

~ Bernice

Funny Girl

After my last post, I decided to go in a completely different direction.

Frivolously Fun!

Anyone who knows me knows I adore my nieces… they just crack me up…
Now – thanks to my fancy video upgrade – you can see why!
Happy Tuesday – Enjoy!

Lola B: A Girl & Her Groove

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*PS – My Flip Camera is my own – paid for with my own, hard-earned money*

CSI for the Soul

Visual by www.PDImages.com

Recently I heard that no matter where we go, we leave our DNA behind – physical proof that we were there. Moments later, the question was asked, “What about our Spiritual DNA?”

It’s a question I cannot get out of my head.

Earlier this week, I attended a rosary and celebration of life for a couple whom I never met, but now wish I had. I work with their son Pete, and was heartbroken for him when I learned that his parents Pedro and Nelda had been killed in a car accident on New Year’s Day.

Although it’s been awhile since I’ve made the weekly trip to Mass, I always have considered myself a spiritual person, a believer. A convert to Catholicism, I’m more “Catholic Light” but I’ve always been fascinated by the Rosary. It comforts me; I feel soothed in reciting the prayers and handling the beads.

So, there I was, kneeling inside a huge Church in Helotes, reciting the Rosary for a couple I didn’t know.

By every indication, Mr. & Mrs. Palacios were an incredible couple; a shining example of what caring for others and giving of yourself is supposed to look like. So many people talked at the services of how they held the power of prayer close to their hearts, shared their faith with friends, family and strangers alike, never turned away at an opportunity to help others who needed assistance. By every indication, Mr. & Mrs. Palacios walked the walk, talked the talk – and their Spiritual DNA will last forever and ever.

I cannot stop thinking about it and wondering, what about my Spiritual DNA? What am I leaving behind?

My New Year’s Love Letter

Happy New Year!

Before we slide into 2010 full-throttle, there is so much to give thanks for in 2009.

So, if you’ll indulge me, I have a few thank-yous to pass out …

My family

I love them madly, dearly, passionately.

I would not be the woman I am without them.

The Happiness Family Christmas: 2007

They make me crazy (in a good way) and keep me sane. That’s the best gift EVER!

The Happiness Family: The Early Years

My nieces: (they get a special entry)

Lola B: Cool as Ever!

Lola B, Abby-Google, Victoria – they have taught me a special kind of love.

Abby is all smiles!

I am just head-over-heels for my Uber-Cool Nieces!

Victoria & Auntie B

My friends

They keep me young & fun!

St. Mary’s Crew: A Lifetime of Friendship!

They teach me how to give selflessly, and how to give thanks abundantly.

The Ladies

I am in love with the family I’ve made for myself.

Disturbia Does Halloween 2008

My pets

I am not complete without little 4-legged creatures scampering around me

(and, truth be told, those 4 legs aren’t a deal-breaker… I love my sweet, furry, licking, rambunctious friends no matter how many legs/paws/whiskers/tails/ whatever they have).

Zoila the Wonder Dog

Right now, I’m down to just one scampering puppy named Zoila – but that will soon change; I must add a kitty to the household soon!

My Paul

Who could have imagined someone would love me so much that it feels like a miracle each and every single day?

Paul & Bernice: Summer 2009

I am beyond blessed and happy and ecstatic (and right this very second – I am not afraid to admit it – I am a little puddled-up).

I have said it before, and I’ll say it again, I am a very, very, VERY lucky girl.

Muah!

Santa Comes to the Computer

Santa is very high tech…

Now, you don’t have to stand in long lines at the mall, or search for Santa in the town square -  just log on your computer.

Santa has been creating some video messages to my nieces!

Click on the links to watch his messages to Lola & Victoria!

Facebook Faceoff

Dear Facebook,

I ♥ you. I really do.

But you’re full of it. (I’m trying to keep it clean here, people)

BMPR and Books: Abby in Action!

Talk about a banner way to kick off

Abby’s Book Corner – San Antonio!

Thanks to The BMPR Social Media Community, books were piling up at

the Holiday Inn Airport Tuesday…

(a special thank-you to Donna Tuttle, who had the idea to ask BMPR attendees to bring books for the kickoff,

and to Davis Staedtle who upp’d the ante with his iPhone/iTouch/iAwesomeness)

Abby’s Book Corner-San Antonio is off to a great start!

** Note: Abby’s Book Corner – San Antonio now has its own Amazon Wish List!

Boxes of Books for Abby's Book Corner - San Antonio

Abby’s Book Corner: San Antonio Style

Abby’s Book Corner: San Antonio Style – It’s a Happenin’ Thing!

While the 2nd Annual Book Drive is underway in Dallas, we’re making plans for Abby’s Book Corner to expand into South Texas!

And – here’s the really awesome part – the books donated in South Texas will stay in South Texas,

benefiting Methodist Children’s Hospital of South Texas!!

It’s what my sister-in-law calls “Abby in Action.”