Monthly Archives: June 2025

This is 35!

Son #2 turns 35 today!

It is hard to put into words the way I feel about this young man. We have the unique circumstance of a long family history that transcends the customary in-law relationship. In fact, it is hard to remember a time when he was not in our family.

Watching a teen grow into an adult is such an interesting exercise. Not needing to parent that young person is liberating. However, our situation is a hybrid. Corey is not above reaching out for advice or assistance, and in turn he has also become of enormous counsel to us.

Confidence with humility is his differentiator. Pardon the othermother brag here, but there really is not much he does not excel at. Jana will tell you it is kind of annoying, actually. But we know how proud she is to have him as her husband. Top on that list is his desire to keep it real and hover under the radar of praise and attention.

If I were asked what was the one thing about him that fills my heart the most, it is dedication to his people. His family, friends and co-workers know they can always count on him. No questions asked. I mean, how many young men can head a major restoration project for his in-laws’ business and not ever lose his cool? (this one was definitely a test for everyone, and they all passed with flying colors).

Simply put, life with Corey is just better. In every way.

Happy 35, my sweet girl’s boy. May Archie cut you some slack today and may the universe (and Iko) shine down upon you today and fill your heart with all the love you deserve.

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Filed under birthday, Corey, daughters, family, moms, sons

Love, loss and how will I ever live without dog hair in my life

White dog. Predominantly black wardrobe. Dark wood floors.

It was always a bad judgement call. But on the flip side it was perfect. She marked me. I am her human and she comes wherever I go. (thank you to all of those who let us bring her… especially you cat people , and those with pristinely clean floors before we got there… you know who you are).

If you know me in-person, or where I post ad nauseam about my girl, Iko has been my sidekick for almost 14 years. Rain or shine you will find me 2-3x a day walking the neighborhood with my girl in tow – the best personal trainer of all times. A big quirky girl with her very own mind about who is the pet and who trains who. Unapologetically who she is. From day one she walked to the beat of her own drummer. Fiercely loyal with a side of don’t pester me with expectations. Surely one of the most photographed dogs around.

Who is Iko? What makes her stand out? She is the lover of Archie. Visitor of next door neighbors (mad door knocking skills). The queen of the corner of Salem Lane. Both online and in real life, Iko made her mark on this world and filled mine with the love and companionship that I will forever be grateful for. She came into my life after the great loss of my big love before her, Mel. My first dog. And she filled those paws with grace and her own brand of confidence that always boosted mine when I needed it most.

We have walked this life together through some of the most difficult and joyous times. She holds my greatest secrets and has held me up when I have thought I could not keep going.

And now, my sweet girl, I can see you are done. You gave it your all these past 2 years. With the help of an army of those who loved you fiercely, led by an angel of a Vet who I have followed to the ends of the earth (or East Northport which is sort of the same thing with a sick dog in the back seat), we were graced with what we can never get enough of.

More time.

So now, I will let you go with dignity to go find Mel and all of the other loves I have lost. Say hey to them all for me.

Me? I will walk around with an Iko-sized hole that is just fine because it will remind me that you will always be with me. You are part of my soul.

As for the dog hair… I guess I will have to live without it everywhere.

Godspeed, my sweet girl. Go run free and swim again.

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Filed under aging, dogs, grief, Iko, loss, pets, relationships

Daddio-sir and the Big 97!

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Yep, you read that correctly, my dad is 97 today! .

The HarvZ. Zaidie. Daddio-sir. Or just plain Harvey. Call him what you will, this guy has been a constant since I hit the ground wailing. And has tolerated me for just as long.

Most of the time. (I was a challenge, to say the least)

The man that has kept my moral compass on straight, challenged me with everything from knowing I could do whatever I wanted in this world to keeping my patience in check. We have walked many paths together, but there has never been a single moment in my life that he has not been there for whatever it is that I needed. Sure we locked horns, we are cut from the same cloth. But he has never been short on praise, love and the ability to guide me to do whatever has to get done. Suck it up, little girl, you can do anything.

This guy is the king of showing up. He has NEVER used guilt and has always been grateful for what life has had in store for him. His success in business, his great love story with my mom and his undying love and pride in the 3 generations below him, keep this guy fighting the good fight to – as he says – wake up and tell the parts that work to drag around the ones that don’t.

Every day has been a gift. Every phone call ends in the sincerest ‘I love you’. Every road we have walked has been an honor. My gratitude is beyond for the luck I had in being born to my incredible parents.

Happiest of birthdays, Daddio-sir, to the moon and back.

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Filed under aging parents, birthday, childhood, family, parenting, Uncategorized