NANCY

Nancy has attitude. A terrific one, actually. She understands the value of life, and she looks to has as much fun with it as possible. She has a generous heart to go along with her no-excuses demeanor. Life doesn’t always deal us the best hand, but Nancy isn’t the type to mope and complain about what comes her way. She keeps looking for the best in others and herself.

Her outlook on parenting was an inspiration to me. I remember her telling me about one of her boys climbing a tall tree. Her first impulse was to shout at him to come down, but she knew she couldn’t.  ”Stop.” “No.” “Don’t reach for the highest branch.” That’s not the message she wanted him to hear. So she let him climb, and he reached the top just fine. And if he he’d fallen, well, he’d learn that there are risks involved in going for what you want. And falling isn’t the end of the world. You just get up, lick your wounds, and move on.

She sees people not just for what they are, but what they can be. I also remember her telling me a child is never to young to lend a hand. Even her 2-year-old nephew could pull laundry from the dryer into a basket. Every time Lucas does this same chore, I think of her. He’s not a helpless toddler. He’s a little person learning to be in the world. And it’s a better world for having Nancy in it.

How has it been so long since I’ve seen my fun, dear friend?  We are long overdue to catch up. I’ll happily drink to another fabulous year of Nancy!

Happy Birthday Wonderful You!