I Am A Walker - Strolling Waterway in Naples

No, we did not take a spontaneous trip to Italy!  But we did spend a renewing morning strolling a "little-talked-about" area of Southern California...the Naples neighborhood of Long Beach.  It was the monthly walk/hike of Omniloreans and this month, two member's Marilou Lieman and Marge Thelen, were gracious enough to be our leaders. 

Marilou and Marge "setting the scene" for us!

Recently this walk had been the subject of an article in the Los Angeles Times so the two women scouted it out and took about 15 of us up and down the waterways,

over bridges, 

past elegantly decorated-for-Halloween homes 

on a beautiful California day. We even found a little piazza!

Not knowing what we would encounter in traffic we left early enough to stop at a little French Bakery for a crepe breakfast. 

The entire day was a reminder to me of how much there is to see and experience in areas close to home.  As much as my heart and soul yearn to return to Italy, this still was a wonderful day.  It felt good to me to be out and about.  It felt good to talk with friends, to feel the crisp, clean air against my skin,

it felt good to be alive. 

I Am A Mother-in-Love - Celebrating Milli

It is the morning after, the night before...and my heart is so full.  Last night we celebrated the 50th Birthday of my beloved daughter-in-love, Milli Castillo Altieri.  

Michael with Milli as we sang Happy Birthday,

For months Michael and Milli debated various ways to acknowledge this milestone event and finally they decided that what they wanted was a simple evening with Milli's dearest friends.  To Milli, these are the people who "people" her life and since the highest value in Milli's life is "relationship," bringing these people together was truly pulling her life into one locale.

Milli sees all of us as the components of her rich life...and what is so amazing is that for each of us, Milli is a key ingredient enriching our own lives.  Last evening, Michael gave a moving tribute to Milli, calling her "an illumination"...that who she is lights up a room, an event, a life!  And this is true.

Milli is the middle child of her family, having an older and a younger sister.  She was born on the Hawaiian Island of Lanai.  Her parents, Peter and Basilia Castillo, came to Hawaii from the Philippine Islands when they were young to work on the pineapple plantations. 

The Castillo Family (1996)  Myrna, Milli, Audrey, Basilia, Peter

Milli grew up running barefoot on the red island dirt, learning to hula as a young child, even doing her share of "summer work" in the hot pineapple fields. A beautiful island princess, she was actually crowned Miss Pineapple one year!  She eventually left Lanai, first to travel as a professional Hawaiian dancer in the Far East, and then to relocate in the Los Angeles area where her sister, Myrna, lived.  She put herself through school, earning a financial degree, met Michael and the rest is History!  From Lanai to Los Angeles, to the heart of my son, to the arms of the Altieri Family.  From a dancer to a professional accountant with her own business, to an artist, to a gourmet cook, to a devoted mother. Her life has been quite a journey.  But I think, if asked, she would say her greatest accomplishment has been being wife to Michael

and mother to Gabriel.

Milli has a generous heart and with it she has embraced our family. Not only has she never stood in the way of Michael's relationships with his family, but she has joined us as a vital member of the family.  I love having her in our corner because I have seen what a protective "Momma Bear" she is for those she loves.  There is no more loyal and dedicated woman, friend, daughter, sister, wife or mother than she!

So last night, her radiant smile never left her lips.  She moved among all of us with grace and beauty and she truly illuminated the space, just like she lights up our lives.

Milli, my beloved Daughter-in-Love, for all you accomplished in your first 50 years, for all that is yet to come, for your energy, your spirit, for the love you have shown to all of us, for being my daughter, I salute you and I say,  "Brava!  Well done!" 

It has been my joy to share the last 17 years with you and I wish you many years of continued health and happiness.  I love you, daughter of my heart!