January 28th - Visit #1

Spent my evening visiting with my friend and confidant, Billy Faye Curtis. Interesting spending time with someone who is not part of your "family" but has known you since before you were born. BF knows my history - the good and the bad. We have kept in touch all of my 49 years. When I began this 49 year adventure, I knew immediately that BF would be one of my "peeps."
Early on, she was my mom's friend and the mother of one of my good friends. She helped me open my first checking account and baked me a birthday cake in the shape of a check on my 15th
birthday. We took several trips together - my favorite being the jumping trip to Houston. My brother and her son jumped everything that trip and had several near death experiences because of it. Memories are often made in the strangest of ways.
Over the years, she has become my friend, mentor and confidant. I can tell her things I would tell no one else because she knows my history. She understands me because she has lived my life along side of me. We don't talk often but when we do it's as if we were never apart. We share our thoughts, dreams, struggles, victories and concerns. After 49 years, there have been many thoughts, dreams, struggles, victories and concerns in both of our lives.  It is an amazing thing to have people who are willing to live life with you. One thing I learned tonight is that I must be willing to slow down enough to enjoy these people and the wonderful things they bring to my life.
BF helped me remember the perspective that God is in control, even in the struggles and we must be willing to "Be still and know that He is." Things are going to happen in life. Everything is much easier to deal with when you have something to fall back on. She also listened a lot and helped me think through situations and things which have become patterns in my life. She offered some advice but mainly just offered her life and her experiences with faith, family, friends and living.
This is going to be an amazing journey visiting with the influential people of my life. As is in life - it's more about the journey and not the destination.  I had a wonderful time reconnecting with BF.  She is an amazing woman who has inspired and touched many lives in her path. I hope to live my life in such a way that others look to me, as I look to her.

January 13 - Updating

Just set up my January meeting with long time friend, Billy Faye Curtis.  She lived down the street from my family on the day I was born and has known me and been a great influence, ever since. I even named my pet hamster "Billy Faye".  I spent time with her family growing up, attended her church, and learned many great things from her and her husband, Harold.  Some of my favorite memories growing up are the times I spent going on vacations, attending ballgames, hanging out at her house and as I got older sharing my hopes, dreams, fears and pains with her. I look forward to hearing her amazing insights on life. More to come after our meeting...

January 1 - Birthday

When January 1st is your birthday, you tend to be very reflective about "things." This, being my 49th year on earth, I am even more philosophical.  I have decided to spend the year contemplating what has been and what lies ahead. To accomplish this, I have selected 12 people who have inspired me, loved me, put up with me, and known me better than others to spend time with this year.  The plan is to visit one of these people each month and pick their brain for wisdom on my next chapter in life.  I look forward to learning, growing and having a great time, spending time with some of the greatest people I know.  The plan is to share insights that I learn along the way on this blog.  I hope you will consider following my journey.