Weekend Fun

I hope that everyone enjoys a relaxing and restful weekend. I plan on lots of naps, yoga, long walks through crispy leaves, window shopping and wine with friends. What are you planning to do??

xoxo Carolyn

Remembering Irene

During the winter of 2005 I was going through many positive life changes one which included getting into shape. To assist with that facet I decided to power walk the Fairfield Connecticut Half Marathon with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training. During this time I met a great woman named Irene Berg. Irene and I hit it off immedaitely. We talked about all kinds of things during these walks and since we took up the tail end of the walking group we got to know each other pretty well. Irene was very open about how she discovered she had a form of Leukemia and had needed a Bone Marrow transplant to help heal her from the disease. None of her family members were a match however a match was found within a gentleman living in the West Coast. She had the transplant and than onto the recovery stage. Recovery from a BM transplant is like none other. She could not enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables- to much risk for contamination. She could only eat processed foods. Six months into her recovery she told her Doctor she was yearning to taste a fresh tomato. She had to wait another full month until she was allowed to do so. A couple of months after that she was allowed to go to a restaurant something that she was unable to do for the better part of a year. She told me that all of her Co Workers took her to a brunch..and she enjoyed it immensely.
As the race approached I received an email one day from Irene asking me if I would be her "Walking Buddy" as I was doing this race more for the cause and general excercise and frankly could care less what place I came in I was flattered and pleased and immediately said yes. Best decision EVER! We walked the race, with me acting as your typical Italian Mother reminding Irene to drink her water and eat her snacks. She was a little nervous since we were again at the tail end of the race that we would be left behind..I in my usual care free way told her not to worry..the Fairfield Fire Department was hosting this..and I was the Fire Chief's Personal Banker and he was not going to let anything happen to me. Around mile 9 Irene started to not feel well and together we got on the bus back to the starting line and walked through the finish line. We accomplished it! That day started a wonderful friendship. We would meet at the Danbury Mall which was halfway between our homes and walk it. We walked the Light the Night which is a very short walk..where everyone was gracious enough to let Irene head the walk.
Last year around this time, Irene got sick again. She went to Boston for treatment and was there for several months. She needed a new BM transplant. She received the transplant and all seemed to be going well- I received an email from her 2 weeks ago. She got sick and contracted pneumonia. Sadly she passed away this past Sunday November 15th. Her Cousin, Pam, remembered me from the walk and emailed me the sad news. I am so terribly sad and yet she FOUGHT. She fought her disease with a smile and such strength. Irene taught me so much and I will miss you terribly. May you Rest in Peace.

xoxo Love, Carolyn

Family Weddings and other Musings..

I Love my family and this weekend I have had a lot of family! My cousin was married last evening in a pretty gazebo ceremony followed by oodles of hugs, laughs, dancing and yes cosmopolitans! What a lovely evening it was. The vibe was love the reception venue oozed it. I am still feeling warm and fuzzy this morning :-) I just had to write that immediately..now I am off to a family brunch than to South Beach for the day! Au Revoir mes Amies. xoxo

Take a step back and breathe

I have been feeling really out of balance lately. I can feel it in my muscles, my lack of yoga practice and sleeplessness. Work has taken over a little more of my energy lately- much more than it should. There have been alot of not well received changes and as an empath I take them all in. There is negative MoJo is rampid in the office. I am thankful that a dear Friend has come back to work and I am hopeful that we can help each other remain positive. I am also going to a family wedding next week in hopefully sunny Florida and plan on sleeping in, lots of beach walks, yoga and visits with a couple of girlfriends that live there. I am hoping that this get away helps bring back some of the much needed balance in my life..

xoxo Carolyn