.....WTF.............. When Bad Eyebrows Happen To.............

....................well................ bad people...................... I mean LOOK AT THEM ?!?!?!?!?

...........Stolen Meme of a Stolen Meme Monday...........

...............for an explanation of where I stole this from go to HERE......


Now the meme....

Would it be hard to kiss the last person you kissed? Yes - Coz my mum will kick your arse if you try to kiss her - she never leaves home without her razor.

When is it hard to kiss someone? When they're gagged and hanging upside down - gimp like................. So I've heard.

You’re trapped in a room with your most recent ex for three days, what do you do?
Wait till the fuckers asleep and start king hitting like a chulo bitch gang banger till the arsehole feels like I did when the cunt dumped me.

Does it matter to you if your significant other smokes? Nope - but he'll smoking alone if he does.

Have you ever regretted letting someone go? No - it makes me realise the "cage" isn't as secure as I thought.

Where would you go if you were butt naked and locked out of your house? The apartment complex pool. (a) It is cool and it's summer here in Oz, &, (b) the hotties in my complex are always in the pool - it's a win win.

Do you want to please everyone? I would - but that would be time away from me - and my jaw gets tired after a couple of hours.

Have you ever been called heartless? Sure - it's on my drivers license - gets me out of organ donation.

Someone calls you at 3:00 AM, who do you expect it to be? My cadre of hookers - and they have better had a busy night if they know what's good for them - I'm running out of room in the yard where I bury the bodies.

Does it matter if your significant other drinks? He drinks - I get better looking - another win win.

Could you go the rest of your life without doing drugs? Depends which drug. I kinda need to breathe being an asthmatic - and a lack of anti-depressant kinda makes me go postal at the most inappropriate times.

Which is better, amazing eyes or an amazing smile? I hood my boys - so they better have a good smile - I'm not putting "Damien Junior" in a gingivitis infested new home.

Are you easy to get along with? Sure - when I'm asleep - I working on the when I'm awake part ........... really hard ... coz someone loves me - very much.

Do you ever want to go to sleep and not wake up? Honestly - there have been several times - all seriously considered - no joke.

Are you shorter than your Mom? Are you making something of my mother??? Oh I KNOW you are not making something of my Mumma bitch - I will cut you like a fucker!!

Describe your life currently in one word: Fan-fucking-riffic.................. but improving - that's the main thing.

Are you on medication for anything? This is your first time here isn't it?

Who would you allow to read your thoughts for one day? None - my thoughts are my own - they are the only possessions that I alone own. Stay out.

Are there things in your life that you will never be able to get over? Yes - but they are private and you don't need to know.

If you woke up naked next to the last person you kissed, what would your reaction be? (to husband) - "Did I over sleep AGAIN?!?!?!?!?"
.

.....................I Am Back.................. Mostly............................

.......................... no this is not a pity party.

If anything....................................... it is a rebirth.

For the past 10 days I have been getting used to a new Anti-Depressant.

For those who don't know what this means, it generally involves a long list of physical and neurological changes that can put one on a roller coaster that would make a free-fall from 10,000 feet look like tripping over the rug.

Thankfully, this time, it has been a somewhat easy transition.

To put this in perspective, the last AD (Anti-Depressant) I was on was an absolute nightmare. I went from Zoloft - the white bread of AD's - to Citalopram (evil incarnate) - which resulted in the following...............

• Hyper Agression - I would want to go 'postal' and kill the person who pissed me off and all those around me. Case in point - I got 'bumped' by someone in a mall during the transition - they freaked out from the look I gave them. Given my pacifist nature - it was scary.
• Disturbing dreams - I am not talking about "flashes from the past" - I am talking about nightmares including me strangling people and me carving chunks of their flesh, roasting them, then eating them. A fantastic way to spend a night.
• Extreme mood swings. I would go from "Glenda" the good witch - to Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction in 5 seconds.

Now - I am on Cymbalta and I have to say - HALLELUJAH !!!!!!

(And I am not one for Christian references obviously!)

I have energy - a sense of center - and a mood that I have not experienced for 3 years.............. happiness.

Yup - your blog master from Down Under actually FEELS GOOD !!

In fact, I have a sense of purpose that has eluded me for the past 10 years.

I have spent the last week pondering many things - my husband - my relationship - my career - my cock (I'll explain in a second) - and my behaviours. It hasn't been easy. Actually, it was as easy as shitting a brick out of my arse with no lube - but I got there in the end.

So............................. here it is..........

• I need to live - not just exist. For this, I need to be active in those things I enjoy. For me, that means being involved in the local ballet community - most notably as a volunteer in my old ballet school - the training school of our state ballet company.
• I need to be more financially responsible. My partner has always been the one who handles our finances. Those who know me know that I am not a bad person - but money has a tendency to simply slip through my fingers. It is my choice now to be more financially responsible and fiscally adept. I need to be more involved with our bills and our management of money. And I will be.
• I need to re-engage my cock. Clinical Depression - and AD's - have a negative effect on intimacy - and the regularity of such - I need to try to bring some equilibrium to my hormones.
• I need to be more empathetic to my husband. He is Clinically Depressed at a worse level than me and I need to support him at a much higher lever than I have been. He is worth it - I consider him an angel that HaShem sent to me.
  

Another thing, in a few days I will be posting full body shots of me. This will be the start of a journey for me that I have been scared of taking - the re-taking of my body.

For a long time - 6 years - I have given into my weight problem - it is time for the peasants to rebel. I am taking back control of my body.

In six months - I hope to post pictures of results that clearly show a new me.

I have had enough of being overweight and feeling "ugly". Enough is enough. It is time for for "me" to be the architect of my destiny - and not simply be a passenger of circumstance.

I thank all of you who have sent good wishes over the last week - your encouragement has not been in vain.

I am tired of being an unwilling victim of life - I am now taking back the control of my future and the circumstances around me.

Watch this space - it's going to totally kick ass.

That's my 2 cents worth - and I just spent it - in a HUGE fucking way.

Shalom

Damien.
.

................No Postings For A Couple Of Days..................

....................Shalom All.

No posts for a few days whilst I get over a bit of the big "D".

I am also starting a new anti-depressant so getting used to that.

I promise a nice big post later in the week.

The archives are huge so feel free to wander through my little blog.

I do appreciate each and every one of you who visit.

Your patronage is treasured.

L'Chayim

Damien.
.

.....Just Coz ...............................Balls.............................................

.......actually............. men with balls........... tennis balls............... with the Australian Open currently happening in Oz - I thought it was a good time to highlight my fave players.

Enjoy

Damien.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga




Rafael Nadal





Andy Murray





Roger Federer





Novak Djokovic





Andy Roddick




Fernando Verdasco





Tommy Haas

..................."love all" indeed.
.

.......Kreativ Blogger Award............... I'd Like To Thank.............

............the Academy of Larry :)

From Ohio to be exact.

The Lovely Larry (as he will henceforth be titled) - nominated me for a Kreativ Blogger Award.

And I was tickled pink!!

Truly !!!

I love Larry's writing - he is so introspectively intelligent with a great take on the world.

So head over to his blog and check it out HERE.

Now this award comes with a meme with 7 strict rules that I must obey. Being a truly obedient man :0 - Here they are...................

1. Thank the person who nominated you for this award.

I sincerely and genuinely thank the Lovely Larry from Ohio over at Patently Queer.

Look at that rakish smirk :) - ain't he adorable !!

2. Copy the award logo and place it on your blog.

3. Link to the person who nominated you for this award.

Please go visit Larry at Patently Queer.

4. Name 7 things about yourself that people might find interesting.

a. I lived in a caravan (trailer) for ten years as we were too poor to afford an apartment. My mother cleaned houses and toilets so yours truly didn't go without. We love her.

b. I had a woman pursue me at my brothers wedding reception. She worked as a stripper - it took my lesbian best friend to tell her "if you touch my man again Ill break you!".

c. I have never Twittered - and never will.

d. I would love to - just once - have lunch with Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain and the Commonwealth. What a life she has led and what stories she could tell.

e. In 2001 - at the worst of my depression - I was working such few hours and making such little money that I lived for a whole two months on nothing but Weet-Bix (an Australian breakfast cereal).

f. My favourite way to relax is with a glass of red, a book and a bath with some bath oil - usually something mineral based.

g. I have eaten pussy - it was in a bi-3way I once did. I didn't hate it - but I certainly did not see the appeal my straight mates were going on about.

5. Nominate 7 Kreativ Bloggers and post links to the 7 blogs you nominate.

This one is easy. I love all these bloggers and their blogs:

Muzo in Los Angeles at MUZOPHILE.

Mutt in Melbourne - my lovely Mutt The Mutton Chopped Mutant

Brenton -the blogging Obi Wan to my Luke - in Sydney, Australia at Aussielicious

The truly spectacular piece of Canadian Beaver... Mistress MJ - over at Infomaniac NSFW

The very witty, very pervy, very wise Scott over at Bill In Exile NSFW

The adorably unique Michael at Michael Rivers

The very sweet V over at Maybe It's Just Me

6. Someone before me forget to post rule 6

I would put something witty here - but I left my wit in my other pants - sorry :)

7. Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know they have been nominated.

Done !!

.........Stolen Monday Meme........ of a Stolen Monday Meme.....

......... for a clearer explanation - see HERE at My 2 Cents - the evil twin of me :)

1. Name someone with the same birthday as you. Jimmy Swaggart - my stomach just churned.

2. Where was your first kiss? On my wee wee.

3. Have you ever hit someone of the opposite sex? If yes, why? Those homeless ladies down the road that keep asking for change - No is NO people.

4. Have you ever sung in front of a large number of people? When? Christmas carols when I was 7. It was a hit in the living room.

5. What’s the first thing you notice about your preferred sex? A pulse - doesn't have to be regular - just strong when it's there.

6. What really turns you off? When they talk.

7. What is your biggest mistake? Leaving a witness.

8. Have you ever hurt yourself on purpose? Only to dull the pain - "It puts the vodka in it's glass - it does it whenever it's told".

9. Say something totally random about yourself. My stretch marks all radiate TOWARDS my centre line.

10. Has anyone ever said you looked like a celebrity? Not since that unfortunate "Brad Garrett" remark.

11. Do you still watch kiddie movies or TV shows? I would - but they made me sign a form.

12. Are you comfortable with your height? Yes - I'm at the perfect height for a truly spectacular throat punch.

13. What is the most romantic thing someone of the preferred sex has done for you? Ignored the stretch marks.

14. When do you know it’s love? When they bathe the stretch marks.

15. What’s something that really annoys you? Stretch marks.

.........Just Coz........... Guys With iPhones - Diversity Edition.......

...........Just Coz.............. Porn Crush......... Colby Keller............

......................... I think Colby Keller is one of the hottest guys in porn in my humble opinion.

He is the three things that I love in a guy.

Handsome - but not pretty.

Unashamedly geeky - which makes him even more attractive.

And truly versatile. Enjoying himself equally on the bottom or the top.

Yes - we heart Colby and the handsome, hairy, geeky, flip-flop hotness he is.

And you can check him out at his blog ...... http://bigshoediaries.blogspot.com .........

Oh - and for a more explicit look at this hottie - including a naughty interview vid - go here...

http://tickleinmypickle.blogspot.com/2010/01/porn-pickle-colby-keller.html

Shalom

Damien

..................R U Trying To Lose Weight?.........................

..................if so........... I want to hear from you in the comments section of this post.

One of the hardest things to do is lose weight.

I was ridiculously fit and in-shape until I was 30 - and then I let myself go.

Yes - the Depression and the Anti-Depressants had something to do with it - along with the heavy respiratory steroids I am on for my asthma - but at the end of the day - I gave in.

I actually even remember when I did - it was November 10th 2002 - I had been living in Orlando Florida for 2 months with my husband. We were on our second cruise together. It was a 4 night Caribbean cruise from Port Canaveral to Nassau in the Bahamas and back. We were getting ready for dinner on the 2nd night and I had to ditch my plan to wear a certain pair of pants because I could no longer fit into them. I was a 34 inch waist at the time - up from 30 - my partner encouraged me to be careful with my weight upon seeing this at the steroid would make it incredibly difficult to lose it again.

My partner is a big guy and knows a thing or two about weight loss / weight gain and how challenging and painful it can be.

Well............. I had two desserts at dinner that night so I guess I didn't listen. 12 months later and I had reached my heaviest at approx 260lbs (around 120 kgs) - if memory serves me well. Although I think I was probably more than that at the time having developed "cankles" - you know... when you lose the line where your calf stops and your ankle begins.

6 years and 3 months later I am now at 200lbs (100kgs approx) - with a 38 waist.

Needless to say - the amount of work it has taken to shed the weight that I have has been enormous. Unfortunately, it has taken a serious toll on me. My lower back problem which was a minor issue before, is now something that has to be taken into consideration when exercising.

My knees are always sore - and my hips ache if I walk for a long time.

To those who may believe that all you have to do is "exercise and you'll lose it" - try strapping an extra 100lbs to your body and go for a 3 mile walk.

Afterwards - see how your body feels. Then do it the next day - and the next - for a week - always using that extra 100lbs. I think you will be quite surprised by the toll it takes.

Needless to say - I am now at a plateau that is seriously hampering my ability to lose anymore.

Lapband surgery is a consideration right now.

I turn 38 next month - same in years as inches on my waist - I intend to be 34inches on my 40th - that's the goal.

Got any tips? Suggestions? Experiences you simply want to share?

Post em in the comments - or email them to me.

Shalom

Damien
.

.......A Gift From Baby Jesus .......................................

OK - I had one of those mornings - I *did* not want to get up when the alarm
went off - the VERY handsome husband I was cuddling at the time may have had
something to do with that.

But - I did get my faith reaffirmed this morning. HaShem rewards those
who help themselves........ And so.

I didn't want to get up.

I got up and went to work.

On the walk in from the train - 20 something builders labourer outside
his work site- shirtless with abs - applying sunscreen to his naked torso.

Thank you Baby Jesus *tear*

*sigh*
.

.............President Obama's First Year..........................

..................this amazing article was in my national paper written by their Washington correspondent - Alex Spillius.

For you haters - some food for thought - for us supporters - some hope.

Thoughts?

We all know that honeymoons come to an end, and even on that sparkling January day a year ago when Barack Obama made it official with the American people, both sides realised that bliss could not be eternal. But no one foresaw that the honeymoon would end so soon, with the bride of public opinion packing her bags in the holiday hotel, leaving the groom to plead: ''I never said this would be easy . . . come back, I can still bring change.''

Americans have fallen out of love with their charming President at a fast rate, even as his popularity has remained high abroad. As early as October, his approval ratings had tumbled from 65 to 70 per cent to the high 40s. Obama's inheritance from George Bush was two wars, the worst recession for 70 years, unemployment heading for 10 per cent and a $US1.2 trillion deficit. It guaranteed a first year of unprecedented challenge.

Not content with that, Obama decided to tame the monster of health care, tackle energy reform, sign a global green treaty, embrace the Muslim world, bring peace to the Middle East, establish a universe free of nuclear weapons and talk sense to the Iranians. Americans have baulked at the mind-boggling sums involved in his domestic reform: a $US787 billion stimulus bill, a $US1 trillion health-care bill and plans for carbon emissions trading that will cost industry dearly.

In Congress, his fellow Democrats are fretting about losing seats in November's mid-term elections. The party has already lost the governorships of New Jersey and Virginia in the first major post-Obama votes. And the President has confessed to disappointment at breaking his vow on changing the political culture. ''What I haven't been able to do in the midst of this crisis is bring the country together in a way that we had done in the inauguration,'' he admitted to People magazine. ''That's what's been lost this year . . . that sense of changing how Washington works.''

Overseas, Obama may still be seen as the great anti-Bush, but at home the standard narrative is that he has taken on too much, lost the ability to inspire, can't impose his will on Congress and been too soft abroad. That said, it has been a remarkable first year. Obama is on the verge of seeing reforms passed that will for the first time provide health insurance for every American. Plenty of presidents have talked about that since 1947; none have done it.

He has propped up the economy, albeit with an inflated and, in places, misdirected stimulus bill. The housing market has bottomed out, and consumer confidence is returning. The possibility of a double-dip recession remains, but if most forecasters are right, unemployment should begin to fall. Belatedly, Obama and Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner have acknowledged popular outrage over the bail-out by proposing a special bank tax, a start towards easing resentment over Wall Street's preferential treatment.

Contrary to Obama's big-spending image, he has cut more superfluous spending programs in Congress than his Republican predecessors, and Congress has passed more legislation supported by a president than any before him.

Furthermore, he has banned torture, ordered the closure of Guantanamo Bay and sent the 9/11 suspects for trial in the civilian courts. Federal funding has been restored to stem-cell research, women's rights to equal pay have been improved, and new emissions standards have been set for vehicles. This is not a president who can't get things done.

Critics have lambasted his foreign policy for appeasing terrorists, kowtowing to China and bowing to monarchs of far-off lands. With all this negotiation and reaching out, they want to know where the results are. But who seriously expected Mahmoud Ahmadinejad or Kim Jong-il to respond to overtures when their existence depends in part on vilifying America? In his Egypt speech last June, Obama said: ''I've come to Cairo to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world, one based on mutual interest and mutual respect.'' Those are powerful words. In time, they could come to mean something.

He has made mistakes in foreign policy. Allowing his speech to students in China to be suppressed by the authorities should not happen to American presidents. Nor should arriving at the Copenhagen summit without a climate deal. And his decision to increase the number of US troops in Afghanistan while setting a deadline for withdrawal could prove a disastrous lack of incentive for allies in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

In the heady early days leading to his inauguration, Obama's admirers forecast greatness. Would he be a Lincoln or a Kennedy or a Roosevelt, they pondered fondly. Such talk was grossly premature - and remains so. But who knows? Ronald Reagan is regarded in the US as one of the best presidents of the post-war era. He came into office in 1981 with ratings just above 60 per cent, but by 1983 they had plummeted to below 40 per cent as the economy slid into recession. Less than two years later, he trounced Walter Mondale.

Obama does have some defects to correct. He needs to stop blaming Bush for his problems and to find some of Bush's fire in the belly when it counts. There were encouraging signs of the latter when he delivered a forceful reaction to the Haiti disaster.

The good news for Obama, and for all of us dependent on his success, is that he has shown he can learn from his mistakes. There was a long period at the start of the marathon 2008 campaign when his performances were lacklustre and his debating skills blunt. Possessing a self-awareness rare in politics, he identified his problems and corrected them.

Obama's first year has not been nearly as bad as the received truth in Washington would have it. Having swooned for him in the campaign, the media has overcorrected its earlier collective abandonment of balanced reporting. But if he wants to win back those Americans he has lost, Obama needs to appreciate that, as he often said on the stump, their relationship isn't about him, it is about them.

...........2 Hot......................... Michael Buble...................

......and yes - I even prefer him tubby :) - congrats on him thinning down a bit - but I liked him tubby.

.................The Love Affair Continues..............................

.......................Hebrew / Yiddish 2 Cents of the Day.............

Yiddish.............

Farkakte - or as I like to call it the OTHER "F" word...........

an adjective, meaning 'screwed up' or 'a bad idea'; literally, 'crapped' or 'becrapped'.

"I have never seen such a farkakte project plan in living history!"


Hebrew............

Simple greeting.......... "Boker Tov" - Good Morning.

Enjoy :)

Shalom

Damien
.

...........How Is This Sexy ? .......................

.......... can someone please tell me how THAT is sexy. Im sorry - but shaved pubes look alien to me. Are any of you into this?

What a waste ! - Great pecs, great uncut cock........... but that pube-less region ?!?!?!

For me - if he had've had his bush present and lightly trimmed and tidy - THEN it would be hot - but this....... it looks really strange.

What are your 2 Cents Worth on this?

Shalom

Damien

.

..........................Bluntcard Monday...................................

...................and you do.............. you really do......
.

........My 2 Cents............. Treating Positive As Negative...........

.....................Are you negative towards positives?

This was the message of a gay community awareness campaign back in the mid-90's in Australia.

Australia has been a global leader in HIV education and research since 1982. Per capita, Australia has spent more on education, prevention and research than any other Western country.

The above campaign had a flip side - "R u positive towards negatives?"

The whole campaign focused on sero-discordant interactions. I.e. Positive men having sex / relationships with negatives and vice versa.

It was a campaign that was incredibly confronting for the time. Many people were annoyed by the fact that we were using yet ANOTHER measure of labelling in the gay community - and many saw it as being divisive i.e. yet another measure to DIFFERENTIATE people.

Others saw it as a necessary discussion that had to be engaged in.

Positive people are treated differently. A paper cut in the work-place for me is very different than for a positive person. I don't have to have the "Chat" with the first aid chief in the workplace like a positive person does.

But more personally, if a positive person meets a negative person and there are fireworks - how does the relationship progress?

For some of you - you are insulted by now - "How dare he treat this issue in such a moronic, outdated fashion?" - Well....... perhaps you haven't been paying attention to me over the last year, but I challenge EVERYTHING. And if that is an issue for you, please surf away now.

The issue of sero-discordance is one that is negotiated every day for those people who are engaging in safe sex. I have several people I know who are positive and for them - "going up for coffee" - after a date is a two-tier conversation. "Yes I would love to." "I am positive, is that an issue?"

For many negative men it is an issue. Not because these people are bad people, but simply because negative people have "avoided" the virus (as much as they can CONCIOUSLY know) but now the virus is front and center.

For many, it is the VISIBILITY or the virus becomes something that they can not ignore. NOT the person........ the virus. And it comes down to a simple statement "I have remained negative to this point - how do I remain negative from now on............."

Well - it is quite simple - continue your safe sex practices.

That is it.

HIV - whilst a very dangerous virus once it is inside the body - is in reality a difficult virus to catch. There are many circumstances that must be in place. And they are.............

• Infection route - There has to be easy access for the virus. That access is known as "Micro Trauma". This is the everyday microscopic cuts and abrasions that we all get. When you brush your teeth - micro-trauma on your gums and cheeks. Pooing - micro-trauma on your sphincter. Blowjobs - micro-trauma on your lips. Fucking - LOTS of micro-trauma on your sphincter and the anal walls.'
• Viral Load - There has to be enough viral load for your immune system to be overwhelmed. Yes, it sounds strange - but there is a LIMIT before you get infected. NO - doctors can not tell us what it is. It seems to be different for everyone. Another reason why HIV is confusing us.
• Sexual Practice. Kissing and blowjobs - perfectly safe. There has only been ONE documented case of infection via semen ingestion through the mouth - and that was because the person concerned was an idiot who went looking for cum only two days after a wisdom tooth was removed. Really - so stupid I do not know where to begin.
• Safe Sex - if you practice safe sex - condoms with water based lube - the chance of infection is so small - the mathematics involved contain so many zeros it will blow your mind.

But it isn't just about sex. It is also about perception.

HAVING a positive partner is easy - having other PEOPLE knowing you have a poz partner may not necessarily be as easy. Why? Because as I have stated many, many times before......... most people do not have three functioning neurons firing in the same direction.

Sad - but true.

We like to think that we are all accepting and understanding. The reality is though, that not all people are. For many, the stigma is far more of an issue than the risk of infection. I have known many sero-discordant couples and indeed, we are talking couples who have been together since the 80's. Their primary issue has ALWAYS been the perceptions of others.

These people have lost friends, family access, and, in some cases, their jobs. Thankfully, these days at least, we have laws that protect positive people. But the real issue has always been how WE as the community at large, treat these people.

ALL of the poz friends I have had have NEVER wanted their status front and center, ONLY because it is a medical issue and NOT an issue of personality.

For me - my Asthma has never been something that I have wanted to label me as. My depression on the other hand HAS been something that defines me. This is because of the impact that it can have on my every day life. It can affect my job, my relationship, my ability to take care of myself, and - in extreme cases - even my ability to properly toilet. That may sound gross - but it is the reality.

The reality of positive people includes medication regimes - side effects - periodic testing - viral loads - nutritional regimens - counselling - and 24/7 vigilance when it comes to a duty of care to others.

I can not POSSIBLY begin to imagine how life is like for a poz person - my only contribution can be to treat them as a person. NOT a poz person, but a person. Yes, I will be cognizant and aware of their issues - but I will not allow it to affect how *I* interact with them.

After all - I must ask myself - "Am I negative towards positives? Or am I feeding a negative perception?"

Ask yourself that.

That's my 2 cents worth - and I just spent it.

Shalom.

Damien
.

.............New Poll On The Side.............................

...........with all the pay sites out there, are we being over or undercharged for original content?

What would YOU consider a reasonable charge?

Do the poll and leave me your thoughts in the comments....

Shalom,

Damien

........RIP...........Heaven Gained An Angel.......................

...................... on this day five years ago.

My husbands mother - "Momma" as I called her - departed this world and went to the next.

I had met her only weeks before her passing - thankfully - and I wouldn't trade the trip for anything.

Momma is intelligent, well read, and had an amazing life. She served in the Navy as the Top Secret Communications Officer (Lieutenant j.g.) to the Chief of Naval Operations during the Kennedy Administration. She had three sons, adopted a daughter, worked in the school system and ultimately - gave me her blessing and gratitude for making her son happy.

I don't want this post to be a sad one so I will share a story about my 2nd day with Momma.

Husband and I went to Denver to visit her. At this time Momma was frail and rather than drinking water, she was fond of eating ice chips. During the first day there my husband was making the ice chips for her, but at one point he was doing something else so I offered to do it.

The next day he asked Momma if she wanted some ice chips and she replied "Yes, please. But I want Damien to do it coz his are better than yours." - I already loved the woman, but this is when she "had" me. I was Ice Boy. So for the rest of the trip *I* was the one responsible for the ice chips. I loved it. And I love her and I am so grateful for the opportunity to meet her and to receive, in person, her blessing.

Momma is no longer with us here, but we feel her presence often. Sometimes when we remember a funny story about her, sometimes when a song comes on, sometimes its just a feeling of her in the room.

I love Momma. And I miss her. I would have loved to have listened to stories of her military service and all the funny things my husband did as he was growing up.

HaShem is taking good care of her now.

This song is for Momma, and my husband whom I am so proud to share my life with.

Thank you me letting me have him Momma :)


It's Your Song- Garth Brooks

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