special thanks to...

 

This is my special place to pass out my kudos and love.  It will be updated as life happens.  However, I have a lot that I need to catch up on.  So here we go... in no particular order...

 

It is very rare that I place anyone above my darling husband and our children.  However, this is a particularly emotional thanks and my husband would completely understand.

Our Nation's Heroes:  I was blessed enough to spend the 5th anniversary of 9/11 in Washington DC.  While I was there, visiting as many memorials as I could drag myself to, I came upon 3 soldiers.  Now you see many soldiers in the DC area, and I wanted to run up and hug every single one of them, but these three happened to be visiting the Korean War Memorial at the same time that I was.  They were taking photographs and asked if I would take one of them in front of this particular wall.  I took two for them and one for me.  As they were leaving I thanked them for all that they do.  They told me that there was no thanks necessary.  This literally brought me to tears.  I thought about all of our men and women in uniform and how they have taken on the task of protecting myself, my family, my friends, my country... essentially for nothing but the honor of doing it.  They are willing to go where they are needed to fight for injustices done to people that they don't even know.  They fight for my freedoms without even knowing me or what I stand for.  They are truly special and deserve so much more than I could ever possibly imagine to give.  Here is the photo that still brings me to tears...

 

 

My beloved Husband, Ken:  You are my forever love.  You are the sweetest, kindest, most thoughtful husband anyone could ever hope to have.  It really hit me how fabulous you were when I had my shoulder surgery.  You took time off work to take care of me.  I couldn't go upstairs because I was so doped up so I had to sleep on the couch.  You slept on the floor next to the couch for three days.  You set 4 different alarms so that I was receiving all of the medications I needed because you didn't want me to be in pain. And even though I don't remember the first three days of recovery, I know that you handled every detail of me.  You took care of me. You even held my hair when I was post-op and threw up from the anesthesia.  You know it's meant to be when your partner holds your hair while you yak and helps you to the bathroom when you can't do it on your own.  I love you, my dear sweet hunny bunny.

 

My Dearest Nancy Jacobs: Where do I even start?  You have been through so much.  When I had my cancer scare, you were right there trying to keep me calm.  You told me that it was ok to feel the things that I did.  You taught me that I have to be in charge of my health.  And when I lost my job and called you hysterical, you listened to me and soothed me and made me feel better.  You always make me feel like a valuable person and make me feel important to you.  Even though we've never even met face-to-face, you are one of the most special people in my life and I can't imagine not having you in it.  I love you dearly and always wish you the very best.

 

 

Lynette W. and Mark C: You two sneaky little devils!  I can't separate your kudos because you tend to work in tandem. Over the years you've been hidden in the shadows, watching over me like guardian angels.  You're both so loving and caring and it can be demonstrated by the Christmas season after I lost my job and had my surgery.  Out of the kindness of your hearts, you two conspired to set some things up so that my kids would be sure to have a Christmas.  And a fabulous Christmas they had.  All because of you two Angels.  One of you in California, the other in New Jersey.  Mark, you are my older brother that I lost out on. You took care of me, you cared for me and you guarded me like a big brother would.  Lynette, you always offer me the best pieces of wisdom and manage to soften my hardened heart.  You know how to pick me up and help me see the brightness in the future.  And you've always taken such an interest in my kids.  You are their secret Auntie Lyn and Uncle Mark.  I love you both dearly.

 

 

Karen F: The dearest memory I have of you is when I was at the clinic to see the doctor because my nerves were shot.  I hadn't seen you (or any of the girls) for so very long.  On my way out of the clinic, you appeared before my eyes!  I immediately began to cry uncontrollably. You held me in the middle of the lobby and calmed me and lent me the energy that I desperately needed.  You took time from your day to make sure I was ok before we parted.  And you did all of this with a full bladder because you happened to be on the way to the restroom when I cornered you!  Of course I have many other memories and many other reasons to appreciate you, but this moment is the one that stands out most to me.  You were the angel that I desperately needed at that particular moment.

 

 

Angela R: You have a way to make feel calm.  You can make me think and feel the things that have been blocked to me. Your energy is so healthy and helpful.  You've also been through so much in your life.  You lend to me the experiences that you've had and helped me to utilize some of those experiences to improve my own life and mental health.  You always smile when I see you. You're always so positive.  It amazes me how you can be such a happy person when we're together.  That happiness is contagious and it's a blessing for someone like me.

 

Susan A: You've shown me incredible strength and perseverance in the face of personal difficulty and personal tragedy.  With all that you've been through, even when I know you held so much pain, you were always willing to share your feelings and emotions.  It's good for me to see that.  It helps me be a better person.  You handle yourself so well in the face of diversity.  It's a quality that I admire and hope to have one day.   You are a class act, a fabulous mother and a valuable friend. 

 

 

Lori: You bring me smiles.  I'm pretty sure you bring everyone smiles. It doesn't matter what's happening.  You have a happy energy about you. It spreads, it warms.   The world needs more people like you.  You think things through, you look at things logically and empathetically at the same time.  And always in the end, there are the smiles.  Much like Angela, your energy is so healthy for me. 

 

 

Kristen: Your youth and curiosity amaze me.  You're always willing to learn. You always want to contribute. Even when you've been far away from us, your spirit is with us.  For someone so young, you carry a lot of potential within you.  You haven't even begun to discover the power that you have within you.  I will enjoy watching you grow and learn.

 

Punzie: I've known you since I was 15 years old.  You are Kendra's Goddess Mother.  You are one of my oldest and most precious friends.  When you're gone, I miss you bunches.  But thanks to the internet, you're always close by when I need you.  You can help me to think things through.  You hold a certain wisdom that sometimes I feel it's just for me. Maybe I'm just vain? hehe  I have so many fond memories of you, it's difficult to narrow it down to one in particular.  But I will always remember that people should never assume that they can spread shit about my Punzie and get away unpunished.  No matter how psychotic it makes me look. >:)

 

 

Amy: Another person I've known since I was 15 years old.  We lived together for a while.  You helped to throw my most awesome sweet 16 party.  You helped me through getting together with Ken.  You were there to support us when we got married when other people told us it was "just a phase".  Our daughters are BFF and it keeps us bonded.  You're stuck with me baby!

 

 

Bev: I owe you more than I can possibly give.  You were the one who came and found me to offer me my job.  You gave me so much to think about and helped me to make the decision which would be the best for my family.  You gave me a certain amount of confidence that I had been seriously lacking when I first came to you.  I was seriously in a state of feeling in adequate as a person in the work force.  You helped me to see that I could actually be a viable member of the employment world.  I don't have to be Miss Prim & Proper to have a good job.  I can be ME and still do well.  Thank you thank you thank you!

 

Jacqueline: You had confidence in me.  You believed that I could step into your shoes at work and take over for you.  I was so afraid of messing up and not being as good as you.  You helped make the transition easy and you explained things so well.  Not only did you help me gain confidence in work, you helped me to think things through a little better as a mother.  Thanks to your experiences with Tessa, you can offer fantabulous ideas that I can implement with my own children to help is with our communication and interaction.  You are invaluable to me!

 

 

Shel: I get to see you nearly every day.  When I'm feeling all gloomy and eeyore-sih, you tell me how great I am and make me feel better.  You're not bothered by my frequent venting at work and you're too much fun to play with at the casino.  =)  You're always there to listen to me babble or whine and you're willing to offer suggestions to make things better.  I can tell you just about anything with ease.  You're so easy to talk to, you're never judgmental and you aren't afraid to be human and let me be human. I'm so very blessed that you've come into my life.

 

 

Kat: Another smiling face that I get to see almost every day.  You know how to make me feel better and make me laugh. You have such a sharp wit and you never treat me like a dummy, even when I feel like one.  You don't mind explaining things to me and you generally end just about every conversation with something that makes me smile, if not flat out laugh.  Thank you for being such a valuable part of my emotional well-being.

 

 

Patty: Not only do you allow me to be more than I dreamed, you encourage me.  You provide me with opportunities to grow and learn.  You can't imagine how much that means to me.  The lessons I learn from you are invaluable. You've managed to help my self-esteem and give me new direction.  You accept me for who I am, you support me in my decisions, you help me with my children and you answer all of my stupid questions about Mormons without rolling your eyes or looking at me like I'm a dummy.  You are such a positive influence on my life and the lives of my family.  I can't possibly thank you enough for all that you've done thus far.   

 

 

Yet to be Kudo'd: (when I have the ability to throw a thought together I'll put yours up here)   Melinda, Rhonda, Toni, Dee, Stephanie, David, Mom.

 

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