When NOT to wear pretty shoes - an advice, shopping, and flying thread.

[Kathi Lake]

. . . sipping my Twinings English tea with a huge smile on my face and a warm glow in my heart.

English Breakfast? Earl Grey? Which is your favorite? My wife loves the stuff! Me? I think it tastes like weed water. The only tea I'll drink is sweet tea. I dump so much sugar into it that my wife calls it 'brown Kool-Aid." You almost need an insulin chaser with it. Ah well, such is the life of a human hummingbird.

I am smiling because the lady known as Kathi truly knows how to make her way in the world, knows who she is and is at peace with that role in the world.

Awwwww. It only took me 47 years or so to learn to be that way. Sure, there are times when I may want a bit more, but those have diminished while the contentment with my current situation increases.

You love and accept who you are and the world follows suit.

Well, it had sure better accept me! It's true. I realized that to truly love others, I must first love myself. That was hard after a lifetime of rejection and humiliation.

You said that the time we get to express who we are is not an earth shattering moment of destiny. I think perfect moments of being are our destiny. I think you know this deep down inside . . .

I do. Being me just comes naturally, I guess. Good thing, too!

Kathi, we owe it to Suzanne to keep the faith and do our part to keep her spirits afloat during the coming year. I know you're up for the challenge, as am I. Anything for a dear friend.

You know it, sister! operation Personal Reminder of Everything That The Young Lass needs (Operation PRETTY Lass) is so on! Suzanne, you have people here that will constantly reminding you that you are in our hearts, and reminding you one reason why you fight.

She is becoming more vocal and way too pretty for her own good.

Like I said before, I wouldn't mind the elephant in the room so much if only she didn't incessantly belt out showtunes!

Thank you so much for this story, Kathi.

Monica, I'm so glad that you found something worthwhile amidst all the flotsam and jetsam and tales of shopping, flying, and other boring stuff.

Kathi