A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE

one old love
she can imagine
going back to...
and one who reminds
her how far she has come...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE

enough money within her
control to move out and
rent a place of her own
even if she never wants
to or needs to...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE

something perfect to wear
if the employer or date of her
dreams
wants to see her in an hour...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE

a youth she's content
to leave behind....

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE

a past juicy enough that
she's looking forward to
retelling it in her old age....

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE

a set of screwdrivers, a
cordless drill, and a black
lace bra...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE

one friend who always
makes her laugh...
and one who
lets her cry...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE

a good piece of furniture
not previously owned by
anyone
else in her family...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE

eight matching plates,
wine glasses with stems,
and a recipe
for a meal that will make
her guests feel honored..

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE

a feeling of control over
her destiny...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

how to fall in love
without
losing herself...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

HOW TO QUIT A JOB,
BREAK UP WITH A LOVER,
AND CONFRONT A FRIEND
WITHOUT RUINING THE
FRIENDSHIP...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

when to try harder... and
WHEN TO WALK AWAY...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

that she can't change the
length of her calves, the
width of her hips, or the
nature of her
parents...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

that her childhood may
not have been perfect...but
its over...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

what she would and
wouldn't
do for love or more...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

how to live alone... even if
she doesn't like it...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

whom she can trust,
whom she can't,
and why she shouldn't
take it personally...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

where to go...
be it to her best friend's kitchen
table...
or a charming inn in the
woods...when her soul
needs soothing...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

what she can and can't
accomplish in a day...
a month...and a year...

Saturday I went to Tampa for the weigh in at the Discovery Store at Tampa's International Mall. It was part of the National Body Weight Challenge.

We went early, an hour before the store was due to open at 10 AM. Much to our surprise hundreds of people were already in line. As I later found out, some had been there since 6 AM. Amazing! Hundreds standing in line 4 hours early, not to get tickets for a concert, game or show but to weigh-in and start a weight loss program.

Statistics say 65% of Americans are overweight. As I waited and saw the line grow and serpentine behind me growing ever longer, I thought 65% of the Tampa Bay area must surely have turned out on this unseasonably cold, windy day.

The kind lady in front of us offered to share her pack of gum (sugar free of course). As we chewed it became clear that we were part of an event. People were all talking and being patient as they waited their turn. It was fun. Strangers were becoming acquainted, sharing diets they have known - diets they've blown.

I was surprised to hear a Mom just ahead of me in line tell her children not to swallow their gum. Why? I wondered outloud. Turns out that if you swallow gum it doesn't digest. I never knew that. I have always swallowed gum. It made me laugh to think maybe I didn't need to lose weight I need to have gum removal surgery! My ignorance, became the subject of conversation. "Don't you watch the Discovery Channel," one asked? "Didn't your Mom ever warn you," another inquired? Nope, this was a first for me. You never know when or where you may learn something new.

At 12:30 it was our turn to weigh-in. We were number 374 and 375. It was disappointing to discover that they only had 250 weight loss kits. Good news they will mail it to us. In the meantime it is up to ME to modify my lifestyle to accommodate a healthier lifestyle. My biggest challenge is time management. Long work hours and travel have been my excuse. Time to make myself a priority and find a way. Not easy but necessary (smile).

Wish me luck and in the meantime remember: Don't swallow your gum!

By the way, when the gum lost its flavor, I spit it out (smile).

"You gotta believe!"

My best presents this year didn't come in a box, wrapped with a bow.

My two sons and their families with me over Thanksgiving weekend.

Sitting in church and listening and watching my son Tom as he stood in the front and sang with the choir. He was completely in the moment.

Visiting my sisters and brother and sharing some time with them. Hearing what is going on in their lives.

The wonderful hecticness of my sister Wendy's family as they run around providing loving opportunities for their daughters to get a great education and explore their varied interests.

Hearing about my sister Bonnie's opportunity to own her own business and provide opportunities for her and her daughter Dawn as well as indirectly for her married daughter Valerie and her husband, Heath.

Witnessing the courage of my brother Bob as he faces a plethora of challenges. I am very proud of him and the hard choices he has made over the years. I am a good business woman but even so I doubt I could have done remotely as well if I had to travel in his shoes the last decade. He inspires me to keep believing in the possibilities of tomorrow.

I had phone calls, cards and notes from people I haven't heard from in a long time. To be remembered, not forgotten is a blessing of joy to me.

One of my best friends is feeling stronger and more healthy than he has in months.

The Titans have won their first playoff game.

My daughter-in-laws are wonderful ladies that share their time with me and in the midst of their hectic family lives do their best to include me in their lives and update me from time to time as to what their family is doing.

Calls from my sons.

My grandchildren Hope, Noah and Jake are life's jackpot of gifts to me. They are fun and make me smile to overflowing.

I live in paradise and have been blessed with unconditional love in my life.

No boxes or bows - my presents this year were too wonderful to be contained.

Lucky me. I hope you are lucky too. Happy New Year!.