It's Royal Wedding Week!

The week of the big day has arrived, and I have to admit, I am really excited!  It's not the fairy tale, however.  There's no such thing, but I am excited to see what these two people do to energize an ancient institution.  I'm excited to see the inspiration they will inspire, and of course, I am excited to see the dress!

Here's to a lifetime of happiness to the Bride and Groom!

As a further note, I am doing laundry, homework, and watching the wedding of Charles and Diana on TLC currently.  I have to say that I think the smile on Charles' face when Diana accidentally marries his father is priceless.  It makes me think that there had to be some affection and love in it for him, no matter how things turned out in the end.  Here's to smooth sailing for Friday's ceremony!

What I don't Understand at this Moment

So, it's early on a Saturday morning.  Or, at least it was early when I woke up thinking about what I fell asleep thinking about.  The topic that is the subject of this morning's post.  The philosophical/reflective component of this letter is decidedly absent.  I have no thoughts that ease this particular situation: Cancer.

 It's not that I don't understand the basics of this disease.  I do.  Renegade cells that have gone bad and begin to run amok.  I also understand the myriad of choices depending upon the battle being fought.  And as much as I've seen and hated the process, I also understand adults having to make these decisions for their own battles.  What I don't understand is the attack of children, and particularly babies.  Again, I get the mechanics of it.  It just seems wrong that babies and children should have to deal with any disease that threatens life without understanding what is happening.  It's wrong that parents have to watch their children suffer and make those heartbreaking decisions.  It's wrong that siblings will feel guilty, though no guilt should be assessed, that they are healthy while the other is sick.  It's just wrong.  And the cold, hard, scientific facts do not increase my comprehension on the topic. 

I realize that we learn all kinds of lessons in life, and that these lessons are not self-contained.  We learn from everyone around us, and sometimes it seems the only purpose for an event is to learn a lesson.  I just have to wonder at the wisdom of using innocent lives as vehicles for life lessons.  I'm not sure it's something I want to learn, and if that's the purpose of this particular school, I might be considered a drop out...

Not a happy topic, nor a happy thought out to the universe this morning, but it's what's keeping me up nights and waking me up mornings currently...

On The Topic of Celebrities

So, it's the Oscars 2011, and yes, I am watching the Red Carpet.  I can't help it.  It is the one Awards Show I look forward to every year.  I will most likely never see the festivities first-hand, nor wear anything close to an Oscar gown, but I do get excited for the night.

This year, I haven't seen many of the movies nominated (the perils of living in the middle of nowhere without a movie theater), but many of my favorites are up for awards.  I get excited when they win, and then I usually feel a little silly about the excitement.  While watching tonight, in the midst of completing several household chores, I began to think about those feelings.


We often feel connected to our favorite celebrities, as if they are friends.  And when friends are honored, we are excited for them.  Why do we feel so connected to these celebrities (which probably, and rightfully, creeps them out to a certain extent)?  Well, in today's social media, we can actually interact with them, which can cross into the realm of "knowing" them, but I don't think that's really it.


Why do I feel like I know Tom Hanks, Leo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Reese Witherspoon, Renee Zellweger, and countless others?  For that matter, several musicians also fit into that level of familiarity.  I think it's because they are often part of the meaningful moments of my life.  Via music and movies, they are in my home.  In the background of good news, like getting that college acceptance letter, and devastating news, like learning a loved one is sick.  They are part of the background of bonding with new friends and old friends, and part of the life of romance.  They hold the memories of those moments.  When someone is part of the best and worst times of your life, or simply there as the go to movie or music to brighten a day, shouldn't there be a feeling of familiarity?  I think so.  So tonight, I will not feel strange in being happy for strangers being celebrated.  Instead, I will be thankful for the laughter, tears, and memories they represent.