Grammy

My Grammy is one of the most beautiful people I know - inside and out (it is a close competition with my mom). I mean just look at her! She radiates beauty, love, grace, elegance, joy, kindness, virtue.....

I think the best way to describe my grandmother is through the poem "My Symphony." I know no one who exemplifies the virtues described better than her.

Love you Grammy!

Sara Pauline Wait Garff

So up until now I chose the people I wanted to feature at random, but this weekend I was called to remember how much I love Sara Wait. Through a random encounter I met someone who had known Sara in high school. As we were trying to figure out if we were talking about the same person, he kept saying "She's blonde right? She is really sweet and kind. Yeah, I just remember he being so nice, so sweet." I couldn't think of a better way to describe Sara. She just exudes happiness, kindness, thoughtfulness and enthusiasm. I absolutely love Sara. She is the best friend a person could ask for.

Christina

This is Christina & Matt - one of the cutest couples ever.

Christina was one of my first roommates in New York, and what a blessing she was. I adore Christina. A cool Korean, hipster, advertising-guru, graphic designer. Christina always knew about the coolest things period. The coolest things in New York, the best restaurants to eat at, hot new music. You name it she knew it. She is just plain hip - with no pretense whatsoever. AND she makes the best Korean food on earth. I love her and miss her.

Miss Julie

I have worked with Julie on and off for almost ten years now. Not only is she the best co-worker anyone could ask for, she is the best aunt, friend, wife, person I have ever met. She amazes me with her cheerful loving approach to life. She treats her nieces and nephews as though they were her own children (they each have their own room in her house) and she treats her friends like family. I can only hope that in my lifetime I can be half as kind or as thoughtful as Julie.

One more thing I love about Julie.... When she finds a pair of shoes she likes she will buy them in all the colors available, and sometimes she ends up doing this:

Tommy

I love this guy! I could go on for days about how much and why, so if you want to know just ask...or come hang out with him for 5 minutes. Love you Dad! Happy Birthday!

Melanie Bean

Melanie is Pierside Ward's best kept secret. Anyone who hasn't discovered that secret is seriously missing out. Mel may appear to be quiet and reserved but she is one of the funniest and one of the most thoughtful people I have ever met. Life is better just for knowing her.

Six Months of Love

I love love. I love to love. I play for keeps. There is nothing in the world like loving another person regardless of whether they love you back. There is nothing like the warm joy of thinking of a person, wondering if they had a good day, and finding out they have; or the tender ache that comes when they haven't. We all know with love there is pain. We fear the pain and so we often hold back a portion of ourselves and our capacity to love to protect ourselves from that pain. But I have come to believe this only increases the pain. I believe loving with all your heart, allowing yourself to love to your full capacity increases your joy and lessens the pain.

It was through the life and the example of a dear, dear friend that I came to this conclusion. I came to know my friend towards the end of his life, but at a point when his life was full of hope and promise. He was the father to four beautiful children. His daughter once took him to school for show & tell as the best Christmas present she ever received. He had a wife he loved, cherished, and adored. She was his best friend and his life. He loved life and everything about it. He loved everyone he met and he made everyone feel like his best friend - and they were.

He was also living with terminal cancer.

Now before you start thinking he had this positive approach to life because he knew it was ending and he wanted to enjoy every minute. He didn't. For eight years he unknowingly lived with the disease that would take him from everything he loved. When I met him, he was cheerfully, hopefully, fighting for his life. He faced this most terrifying future with a smile. Rather than seeking for love, support, and comfort from others he gave it. When I last saw him, I knew it would be the last time I saw him - though I hoped against hope. With my eyes full of tears - my heart breaking - He gave me a hug and a kiss. He gave me his love.

Three years ago this October he left this life his legacy of love. It is in his honor I am sharing with you my love. For the next six months I will highlight many of the people I love and why I love them. So don't be surprised if I tell you....

i love you.