This week I finally saw “Wicked”. I know everyone and their brother has seen it already but it was my turn to see it this week.

I bought tickets in November for my mom and sister as well as Justin as a holiday gift.

I didn’t know what to expect but I really enjoyed it. It is a funny show with quite the message behind the whole story. I do not want to give a lot away but they did a great job of including Wizard of Oz in the story as well as making “Wicked” a modern tale you can relate to.

If you haven’t seen it yet, I do recommend you check it out.

There is a story behind my story as well. My mom is turning 70 next year which means it is not as easy for her to get around. I do not want to say it is her health but more of her belief of not wanting to make people feel inconvenienced.

She walks slower now because she has fallen before and she is careful when walking steps to always hold on the hand rail. I am always encouraging her to go out but she feels better staying home.

Taking her to “Wicked” let me see why she prefers to stay home. When we arrived at the theatre we had to climb tons of steps to only then walk down tons more. No one offered us an elevator or a simple way to get to our seats. When we got to our seats, no one stood up to make it easier to get to our seats. I was having a hard time not falling over people’s feet. When we got a break in the show for 15 minutes, everyone rushed to the stairs to use the restroom. My mom knew she couldn’t make it up the stairs in time to get in line and use the restroom before the show started so she didn’t go.

She doesn’t want to go out to inconvenience people but people are making the world an inconvenience to her. Why wouldn’t anyone notice it was hard for her to walk and offer their help? Why wouldn’t the people stand up to let her get to her seat? Why wasn’t there an easier way to get in the theatre in the first place?

In a culture that idolizes the youth we forget we all are growing older by each day and one day soon, we will have a hard time getting to our seats. Take notice of your actions and try to make it easier for others so when it is your turn, hopefully someone will do the same for you.

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Sibling rivalry is very common among brothers and sisters. I was lucky because I am 12 years younger than my closet sibling in age so I grew up basically like an only child.

Of course, I do have siblings. Two sisters and one brother. They are all in their 40’s, currently, until next year when my oldest sister turns 50. While at my sister’s birthday this past weekend, I started to think back on some of the memories I have from them:

My sister Donna invited me over to spend the night on many occasions. Having older siblings mean I also had an older niece who happened to be my age. We would play games late into the night keeping my sister and my brother in law up. She would always have slices of white bread, from her neighbors, for me because she knew I didn’t like wheat bread.

My sister Vicky and I would play tons of video games together. She was always there to help me with a flat tire or when my car battery died. She was the sibling who showed up at the hospital at 2 in the morning when I was bleeding from my tonsils stitches opening up. It was Vicky who gave me a wine cork when I was a kid and told me it would keep the monsters and nightmares away and I believed it.

My brother Eric had to deal with being the baby of the family and then 12 years later having a new baby brother. He would allow me to play with his Star Wars figures and read his comic books that he kept in pristine condition even though he knew I was careless and most lucky going to ruin them. It was my brother who rushed to my elementary school when my mom had forgotten it was the day we got out an hour early to rescue me and take me home. It was my brother and his friends who played shark with me in the pool until my eyes were red from all the underwater swimming.

I am sure I can come up with many more stories about my siblings including all four of us making a musical video singing MMMBop, the thousands of birthday party board games we played, and our family trips to Sanibel Island.

There are also tons of things my sisters and brothers have done through the years that have hurt my feelings. But, there is one thing I always remember, they are family. The hurt is the price I pay for loving them so much. Only people you truly love can hurt you and in the end it is worth it. The hurt is only a drop in bucket of a lifetime full of laughter, support and love.

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My mom saw this concept on TV and thought it was a great idea so she shared it with me and I am sharing it with you. We spend a lot of time creating To Do Lists about our goals and tasks. I always tell clients and friends to create life lists to get the most out of life, but when do we make a list of the things we don’t need in our lives?That is where the Don’t Do List comes into play. With this list, you are able to remind yourself of the things you commit to not do anymore. You can think of all those bad habits you want to change and when you are ready, you place them on the list and commit to stopping them. Unlike a To Do List, we do not list tons of items and cross them off as we do them. On the Don’t Do List, we place the item on the list when we are truly committed to stopping the habit. Once we feel we have a good handle on stopping it, we go ahead and add the next item we are committed to stop doing.What are some examples of items to add to the list? Stop smoking, stop self doubting, quit judging others, stop neglecting your friends, etc.This list is not meant to be negative but a healthy reminder of the bad habits we commit to change and finally are putting them to rest.

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Today is my Dad’s birthday. Of course we will be celebrating the event with lunch at Red Lobster(his favorite place to eat) with the family.

 My dad is a simple man. He enjoys playing his golf video game, watching Guiding Light and eating food that may not be the best for him. He is quiet but how could he get a word in with my mom and I talking anyway. He has the kindest, loving heart and is truly proud of me which is the best gift I can ask from my dad.

My father worked his whole life until his retirement. He supported the family while my mom was at home with the kids. I never needed or wanted anything. My life as a child was blessed and still as an adult it is very blessed from all the work he did.

My dad can truly be depended on and has always been there to help me with tons of topics that I never understood. He helps me with my flat tires and car problems. He helps me with gardening and taking car of my house. He has always been my hero.

So on this day I wish my Dad a Happy Birthday because without him, I wouldn’t be the man I am today.

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