No man is an island

Yes, I just "borrowed" that line.

Wish I would have coined it myself.

I'm torn on this mentality.

I prefer being self-sufficient and accomplishing tasks myself. Gives me quite a sense of satisfaction. Plus, oftentimes if someone helps you, 'certain' people hold that assist over your head indefinitely, infinity plus.

As you start climbing the ladder of life, history comes in flashbacks...you see a person or group of people or even just a photo of them and are transported back in time to that era.

And with age and maturity, you realize that these people in your past actually helped form you and pave the way to your future.

Without each and every one of them, you'd be boring, one dimensional, and a stranger to whom you know and love.

Some of us are lucky enough to keep those influential people near and dear to our hearts in our lives always.

Facebook acts as a tool to better allow us to re-connect with those special someones...

I'm quite blessed to still have people in my life I've known from birth, kindergarten, grade school, high school, college, and my professional career. God has been good to me.


A three day blitz opened the floodgates to my history--all good!

I attended the 2011 Beaumont Distinguished Alumnae Award luncheon which bridged my past and present. Two women who were at Beaumont with me received awards....faculty who taught me were in attendance....a woman I used to work with has joined the Beaumont family....and then a lovely woman in my life currently also received the honor. Joan and Mom were very good friends. Because of their friendship, I've since become good friends with she and her family, who actually invited Mom and I to Chautauqua a few years back. What a tremendous time.

I'm amazed at how life goes full circle time and time again, and more often than not, we are all connected in some way or have all crossed paths.


After the Beaumont extravaganza, I had the honor of being invited to a fantastic surprise birthday shindig--for the husband of a friend of mine. We were destined to be friends. Renee and I have known each other for eons but HOW we know each other and how many times our lives have criss crossed is the true tell tale sign our friendship will last. Renee and I worked at the same places.....I worked with her ex-husband....I've known 1 of her children forever....and then we have the college tie as she was alumni director at my alma mater for a number of years....we work together today--she as media relations specialist and I as a member of the media.

At her husband's party, I re-connected with another former co-worker of mine I've know for at least 25 years now. We picked up where we left off having a sense of familiarity. I had a very nice conversation with his wife, a new friend, and can tell that we will all continue being forever friends.


Then, if that was not enough.

I ran into my hero, my mentor, of all places --my office lunchroom

The woman who gave me my first internship is doing a project for my station. I could not believe my eyes as I saw her standing in the lunchroom. I will be ever indebted to Jane for not only giving me my first chance in this business but for being one of the best female role models of all time. To this day, Jane is a front runner with a skill level at her craft towering above all the rest. She is a brilliant producer, writer, director, editor --you name it, she does it!

Jane proves that women can do anything. You can stick to your convictions, never compromise your beliefs and integrity and still get the job done. She's a fireball who, to this day, is the hippest lady I know!


Yes, I'd love to believe that I can move mountains by myself, that I'm super woman and don't need anyone else. But looking back at my rich history and the thousands if not millions of people who have entered my life having a life-changing effect on me, I welcome company. I yearn for assistance to help me continue my evolution. I need to feel needed.

I don't want to live on this island alone.

Congratulations Sister Maria Cimperman et al

One of my good friend's from High School, in my graduating class, was honored with 2 other women as outstanding alumnae.

I have not been going back to these luncheons. I used to go. Have not been back for years.

Why? I'm not sure why. I guess I'm really not the mingling type, especially If I don't know the bulk of people. And we all know, I am definitely not the 'rich' type!

But I had to go and honor Maria. She's a nun, but I can call her just plain Maria!

It's hard to believe I've known her for over thirty years. I knew her brother Joe when he was just 'little Joe' waaayyyy before he became one of the best Councilman Cleveland has seen in years!

Again, apprehensive as I approached this event. But when I arrived and saw a few folks I knew, the tension eased. I did see Joe and Nora and Miss Grimaldi, and a few others. One of the best decisions I ever made was going to Beaumont School for Girls. And, today is a testament as to WHY it is one of my best decisions.

As expected, no one knew Mom had passed so I had to carry on that charade for a while sharing stories and rehashing just what had happened.

I felt great being there seeing Maria. It was like we'd never parted. I guess that's how good friends are--you don't see each other for years and then pick up right where you left off!

Along with Maria, Carolyn Hafele Kondrat '65 and Colleen Connell '94 were honored as 'distinguished alumnae.'

Congratulations to all the honorees and to all Beaumonsters who continue making a difference in the world, sharing the ideals, beliefs, and teachings instilled in us so many years ago from the best teachers in the world!

It's out of our hands...

I have to make the time to find a doctor and then see that doctor.

In my next breath, I say --WHEN????????????????

I received a letter in the mail today from my high school alma mater. Thinking I would find a release inside about the upcoming Mad Hatter Fundraiser or a plea for more money, I still ripped it open in anticipation.

Never in a million years did I imagine what I would find inside.

A letter from our President and Alumnae Manager announcing the death of one of my fellow classmates, Vicky Frantz, who passed away on February 13, 2009.

Floored. That's all I can say. And even more alarming is how I missed it.

I usually read the obits on a daily basis. I missed this one probably because I would never have guessed and was not looking for something like this.

Along with being blindsided by this tragedy, I missed her wake and funeral.

I knew immediately who she was. But I pulled out an old yearbook and started paging through to see old pictures of my classmates.

My teenage years started rushing before my eyes. It was so long ago. As I get older, I realize how much of my life I have forgotten. It's sad. There are many occurrences I just can't remember. Was I just not paying attention? Was I too focused on something I thought was important at the time, but in reality it was not? Was I rushing through forgetting important moments along the way? Or is my memory just kaput? Yet, glancing through The Parapet page by page reminded me of events that seem like they happened just yesterday.

Girls who I never really became friends with or were older or younger than I were still so familiar. I knew WHO they were even if we did not pal around. Just imagine, for four years seeing these girls day in, day out. You are family, whether you know it or not.

My memory is that Vicky loved life. She always had a smile on her face whenever I saw her and made people laugh. Laughter really is the best medicine and is contagious. Her robust laugh would start you off, even if you had no idea why you were chuckling. She was ALWAYS surrounded by people. Every party or reunion we had which we both attended, she was the one who 'shook it up' a bit if it started to get stale.

I imagine she had a full life and it was time for God to take her home. But, being finite, I'll never understand how someone can leave this world at such a young age, at MY AGE!

My heart goes out to Vicky's family and friends. I know Vicky is in a better place and pray that her family has the strength and the faith to endure this tragedy.

I've heard time and time again, the worst thing in life is for a parent to lose their child.

What a great loss.