Celebration of Life

Today I am leaving California and going back home.
I decided to check out of the hotel early and go shopping for souvenirs for my kiddos.
I found an amazing mall with a Victoria Secret's Pink store.
The directory at the mall was in so many languages!
It was several stories high. I need to find out the name.

I arrived at the Burbank Bob Hope Airport early! The man checking me out worked magic and I was on a  new flight that was leaving in thirty minutes!

Dang, this old woman moves fast when she is trying to catch a flight!
I boarded the plane and sat next to Matthew and Teddy, oh my gosh! I am in love, Teddy was a beautiful ginger colored pomeranian who knows no stranger!

He sat on my lap the whole trip, happy until his daddy said can you watch him while I go to the restroom?
Yeah well, that didn't turn out so well but I never lost my hold on the squirming ball and as soon as he saw his daddy coming back, he turned around and kissed me like hey cookie everything is okay!

I had a delay in Phoenix, Arizona and decided to eat a little lunch.
While I sat there sipping my tea, my thoughts wandered to New York.

I wondered how Victoria and her family were doing, you see her brother my friend Michael Smith died December 6, 2016, and they are having a celebration of life for him today.

I would have loved to be there, but I feel in my heart that Michael would have wanted me in California, we deserve this recognition in the community.

I wanted to figure out a way to honor him and be a part of the celebration of his life, but how?

While I was eating my deviled eggs and guacamole dip, a young family came walking in.
Beautiful couple with a sweet little girl all smiles and joy. They were perfect.
When the waiter asked me if I needed anything I asked him to help me pay for the couple's meal.
He was kind enough to assist me in this, usually, I don't leave a note, but this wasn't about an act of kindness it was about honoring Michael.

I asked him for a pen and paper.
I wrote....

This act of kindness is in honor and memory of Michael Smith Faces of Ankylosing Spondylitis 0405 Sincerely Cookie

Later on, I would find another family who had two children and was about the same age, but so distressed, the children were red-faced with tears, the mother had tear stained cheeks and the father looked to be at his wit's end.

I decided to do the same thing with this family because Michael has done so much for so many.

Time to get on board the plane and go home!

I ended up sitting with a beautiful older woman, who by the time my plane landed we were family.

Her name is Offelia, she is from the Philippines and is 76 years old and I LOVE HER!

She said call me Offee, and giggled Offee and Cookie's the best combination!

We have promised to stay in touch...

Today I am so grateful for new friends, honoring old friends and being so blessed in life.