R.I.P.

My friend lost his mom on St. Patrick's day. When her children first went in to her house, they found a list she had been working on, waiting for them to read. At the funeral, everyone got a copy and they read what she wrote aloud. It would appear she wrote her own eulogy:

"Wonderful Things About Me:

I love to laugh. I am fun, pretty, loving, caring. I am a wonderful grandma. I am a great friend. I have pretty hair, eyes, feet. I am a good hiker. I am always trying to be happier, I love to have fun. I love to have a beautiful home and beautiful things. I am a very gifted lover. A wonderful thing about me is that I never give up. I always want to be better, happier, know more stuff. I am a wonderful friend who lets others live their lives. I live and let live. I am a wonderful traveler. I am a wonderful gardener. I am sexy, energetic, vital woman. I have great legs. I am good at accepting other people for who they are. I don't try to control or change them. I see and notice the things I like in others and take my attention off the things I don't like. I focus on only the wonderful things in every person and only look for such things. I never blame or criticize myself or others. I deeply love myself and think I'm great. Cool, lovely, wonderful.
My happiness is the most important thing and only I can control my happiness. It isn't anyone else's job. My own happiness is a personal choice at all times. I know that I am perfect and worthy and deserving of anything and everything I could possibly want. I will free myself of the job of making anyone else happy and will trust that they can do that themselves. I do not expect others to behave anyway to please me or to change their behavior to please me or "make me happy"- that is an inside job.
I have a weird sense of humor. I love deeply and am eager to love and not afraid of being hurt. The cage around my heart is falling off. I like me. I am OK. I have a great sense of style and design. I have a playful little girl inside me. I stay connected to those I love. I forgive easily and fully those whom I perceive have harmed me. I laugh often and loudly, and chuckle under my breath at the delight life holds and the absurdities that it brings."

Aria Walker (August 17, 1948-March 17, 2008)


A wise teacher I only had a short time to learn from. My lessons were short but the impact was great. Thank you, Aria.