Praze the Pied Piper

Just came back from hearing clarinet player David Shifrin at St. Cecilia Music Society. What a lovely evening. It was almost like that instrument was inflating the whole room, lifting us up until we were flying on the wings of the melody, floating somewhere out of body. And then sometimes the instrument would dig down deep into the soul or just trill to a Benny Goodman beat. And pianist Gloria Chien was so expressive, she was an entertainer, not an accompanist. Pleasant evening. Thanks Rikki for the invite!

Spring prazes!

I went for a walk at Meijer Garden today. Fabulous. Colorful flowers bursting out all over, the sweet scent of lilacs in the air, little turtles swimming through the algae in the pond, baby goslings all in a row, and giggling children playing hide and seek in an orchard of flowering trees. Surely this is what heaven is like. I admire Stephen Hawking, his brilliant mind and his dogged determination in the face of insurmountable physical disabilities. But yesterday I read that he doesn't believe in God. This glorious universe, with sunsets so brilliant that no artist can reproduce the colors, just happened. The particles collided. Life came to be. No God needed, no greater being. And when we die, it just ends. Like a computer shutting down he said. Heaven is a fantasy, he said. Well, as long as winter melts into spring, and life begins again with all the bounty I saw today, I'll believe in that fantasy. Whatever "just happened" to create this glorious world can "just happen" for eternity.

Praze supportive friends

I can't express how happy it makes me that friends are making donations to Great Strides to find a cure for CF. It's a vote of faith in science, a warm hug of love for my son and me, and a testament to the power of people to get things done when they work together. Thanks to everyone who has made a donation and all who have supported the walk with encouraging words.

Praze family and friends

What a great day its been, what a rare mood I'm in......I really packed a lot in this day. Had a great mid day meal out with Angela, her mom and grandmother. Then we went to Van Andel Museum for two hours to tour the Bodies Revealed exhibit. Fascinating. Then rode the carrousel. Got out just in time to meet another friend, Marlene, and go to "Chicago: The Musical". I like the show, but this was better than expected. Really hot music and dancing and plenty of attitude. Then over to the office to write the review -- and deal with a balking computer, but hey, we're not here to complain. We're thinking on good things. Now, the review is finished and I'm heading home to bed. Really enjoyed my day with friends.

Praise God!The Sun!

I don't have to look far for good news today. Praise God! The sun is shining for the third day in a row. It is beautiful out there and should get into the 70s by afternoon. Perhaps...dare I say it...spring may finally have come. Praise God!

Praze Early Morning Walk

Even though I was out late last night partying with my YaYa friends, I got up early this morning and joined a group from church for the annual Grace Hunger Walk. Fantastic event. Beautiful day, lottttttttts of people, great route through Heritage Hill neighborhoods. And my friend Kym from Midland was in town and joined us with her Sheltie Willow. Really had a great time. Invigorating walk. Good conversation and if we raised a little money to combat hunger, so much the better. Helping others should always be this easy, and this much fun.

Praze choices!

I so agree with Sue Schroder's column in Sunday's paper. Happiness is a choice. Or as someone once told me: Happiness is not getting what you want, it's wanting what you get. And when what you get is cancer, as it is for Sue and so many others, it takes a lot of courage and just plain hard work to choose to be happy anyway. Hooray for them! I'd like to add one more choice to the list in Sue's column: The choice to change channels. When the television show is too violent or inane, change the channel. When the radio is spewing hate, find a love song instead. I even refuse to open emails that I suspect might vex me. Delete, delete, delete. And I limit my reading of the news, too. Okay, Osama bin Laden is dead. Do I need to dwell on whether that is good or bad and who can take credit or blame? I choose to think about good things like peace, and bringing our troops home, and healing our nation. I'm tuning in to a better future.