March to Your Own Drumstick

On Thanksgiving -- and always -- we need to march to our own music.  Express ourselves our way.  Be true to our own hearts.  Be thankful for the chance to let our inner light shine. (And get dibs on that drumstick.)  Happy Thanksgiving.

She's All Grown Up

One of my friends is getting ready for her daughter to go off to college, and while her daughter can't wait, my friend is somewhat dreading it.  "It's not that I don't want her to experience the fun and excitement of living away from home and learning about life," she says.  "It's that my baby is all grown up and I'll miss her so much." Ah, yes.  I know that feeling all too well -- I'm getting a little ferklempt just thinking about it.  In the meantime, my friend is planning a shared spa day, before her daughter leaves, including manis, pedis, facials, and massages.  She's also booking a spa day for when her daugther comes home for winter break.  Bonding while getting beautiful together -- sounds like a new tradition for a new phase of life.

The Ties that Bind

One of the most complex, maddening, wonderful bonds that exist is that between mothers and daughters.  For many women, loving their mother and not wanting to turn into her are not mutually exclusive. To quote Oscar Wilde, "All women become like their mothers.  That is their tragedy.  No man does.  That's his."  For all those times that mother really did know best -- even though you might not have admitted it then -- celebrate her this Sunday. Make her brunch -- and just smile if she thinks the eggs are overdone.  Gotta love her.  

Peace and Carrots

A good friend of mine deals with her stresses by turning that energy into something beautiful -- a vegetable garden.  Whether it's a tough day at the office, a spat with her husband, or her teenagers driving her up a wall, a few hours spent weeding, planting, pruning or even picking veggies for dinner always seem to soothe.  She claims it's a mix of the sunshine, the warm soil between her fingers, and the freshness of the vegetables and their colors that makes the experience a multi-sensory vacation.  And who doesn't believe that homegrown tastes better than store-bought?  Eat your peas, they're good for you -- and find your peace, it's essential.

Soup's On!

Just as I was thinking that my allotment of of eggnog, cookies, chocolates, and cupcakes was getting out of hand, I received the most thoughtful and creative holiday gift from a friend.  She gave me a beautifully wrapped package with nine-bean mix and a recipe card for "Nine Bean Chicken Soup,"  with an accompanying card, reading "Healthy New Year!"   It was the perfect gift, not only because the soup is delish (and fills your kitchen with the most amazing aroma as it cooks), but because she actually thought about giving me something good for me.  So this new year, instead of making resolutions, which never seem to stick, I'm making a New Year's renovation of myself.  To try to eat "cleaner" most days, to get up and walk just a little more, and to treasure these kind of friendships the most.

In with the New

In a few short days the ball will come down in Times Square once again, signaling the end of the first decade of the millenium.  No, really, what?  Where did it go?  The last ten years have shaped all of our lives -- probably no more so than when we gathered as a country during the tragedy of 9/11, the recovery from Hurricane Katrina, the economic woes of this recession, and the history-making election of our newest President.  And as we look to the next decade (maybe that's too big -- maybe just the next year!), we wish for our lives and hearts to be filled with peace and with purpose.  And, of course, a little more love, a lot more laughter, and the friends and family who help us get through it all and make it worthwhile. 

Happy 2010 -- let's celebrate what really counts.

Do you believe?

A classic true story, and one worth repeating. 

This letter was written by 8-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon to the editor of the New York Sun newspaper in 1897.  It was answered by veteran newsman Francis Pharcellus Church (answer excerpted here).  Enjoy -- and happy holidays!

 

DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old.
Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.
Papa says, 'If you see it in THE SUN it's so.'
Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?
Virginia O'Hanlon
115 West Ninety-Fifth Street

 
   

Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus.

He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist,

and you know 

that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy.

 

Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no  Santa Claus.

It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS.

There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance..

The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

 

Not believe in Santa Claus!  You might as well not believe in fairies!

You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the

chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus,

but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove?  

 

Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus.

The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see.

 

No Santa Claus!  He lives, and he lives forever. 

A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand

years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

   .

Wish Dish

At a book club meeting the other evening, where my friends and I really talk more about our lives than the book, someone brought up the subject of holiday wish lists.  That led to the question of what just-for-you item would be at the top of your wish list.  It could be anything, but it had to be exclusively for you -- a totally decadent luxury.  Around the room we went, and the most wished-for items included:  a Birkin bag, a weekend getaway to Paris, a really big gift card to Bergdorf's, Gisele's amazing body, Demi Moore's seeming ability not to age, a year's worth of Sprinkles cupcakes delivered to your door, first class air travel forever, a standing appointment with Sally Hershberger, orchestra seats to the Oscars, box seats to the World Series, and courtside seats to the Lakers. And the chance to have dinner with Jon Bon Jovi.  (Now you can see why we never get to the book!).  Although most, if not all, of those holiday wishes aren't going to happen, it was fun to fantasize and share them.  Because the truth is, no matter what the gift or even if there is no gift, terrific friends are hard to find.  And that's something worth wishing for.

True Colors

 

 

On Veterans Day

To all of our service men and women, past and present, 

a sincere thank you for keeping our truest colors flying 

and for your commitment to our land of the free.

Suzi

Yes I-con

We all have our favorite beauty icon, someone known for her singular, signature style.  Audrey Hepburn.  Kate Moss.  Katharine Hepburn.  Beyonce.  Jacqueline Kennedy. MIchelle Obama.  Farrah Fawcett.  Jennifer Aniston.  Vera Wang. Jennifer Lopez. The list goes on, all with one thing in common.   Each of these women has embracedher own look, her own strengths, and her own individuality to make a lasting, and much-copied, impression on women everywhere.  Some icons are not traditionally beautiful, some taller than most, some curvier.  But the confidence each has in herself is what makes her stand out, radiate, and inspire.  Adopt your own iconic attitude.  Let your light shine. 

Paintings:  Birth of Venus, Botticelli; Portrait of a Woman, Picasso