cousins.

I don't have any cousins. I didn't realize how strange that was until I got older and now as I watch my nine nieces and nephews love on one another.

On the 18th, the LeBlano clan headed over to Detroit for my Grandpas memorial service. We stayed in a hotel for the weekend. Once again, I was able to enjoy the perks of being in a wheelchair and requiring an accessible room- the room was HUGE! I have stayed in a lot of hotels but I have never had the pleasure of staying in a "suite" like this. It came with a kitchen, a sitting area, cathedral ceilings and a separate place for the bed and TV.

Needless to say, it was the hang out and the cousins were excited. Three of them wanted to spend the night in Aunt Holly's room and I loved every minute of it. It was late and I knew they were getting tired but I didn't want to squelch the spontaneity of the conversation. After discussing poop (don't all conversations revert to this?) and whether or not I could walk if I really tried (do they think I'm faking?) Kennedy sighed long and loud. "Why the sigh, Kennedy?"
"What a unique opportunity, Aunt Holly."
I looked over to see her taking it all in with her hand resting behind her head,"What do you mean?" I asked.
She exhaled again, "To stay in a castle like this. What an opportunity."

How right you are, Kennedy.
Thanks for reminding me to be thankful for life's unique opportunities...like cousins.

Here's to many more sleep overs at Aunt Holly's. I want it to be your castle.

my love for the theatre.

I can't explain it. Something happens inside of me as I enter a theatre and the curtain lifts. It is so exciting. So refreshing. For a couple of hours I am removed from reality and transported to the lives that are performed on the stage. It is home to me. A comfortable place. Somewhere that I feel I belong. No words can describe it.

This flame was sparked in me in my elementary days when my parents would take the family to a dress rehearsal on a school night (a BIG deal when your dad was a principal) and traveled five hours to Grand Rapids for an evening at the civic theatre. We would arrive early and split a pack of peanut M & M's (among 6 people) and try to work on homework that was assigned for that evening. Leaving the theatre, I would fall asleep in the back of our blue station wagon as we journeyed home back to Holland.

It wasn't until my adult years did I realize Grand Rapids was only a half hour away and Wednesdays were "cheap" nights. In order to secure a seat, you had to arrive at least two hours ahead of show time. And a bag of M &M's was probably only a quarter back then.

I didn't care. I don't care now. That is where it all started. I was bit by the theatre bug.

I was reminded of this passion in me last night as my mom treated me to a show at Hope College as one of my birthday presents, Rose and the Rime. It was phenomenal. Even more so when you knew that it was written and produced by students at Hope.

My disability is obvious. It's been life changing and down right irritating at times. I often wonder if I would have pursued the stage more if this obstacle didn't present its ugly head.

For now, I sit back and try to take it all in and relish in the fact that my love for theatre didn't leave with the use of my legs. I am happy that I can be transposed into a world that invokes such emotion.

Thanks, mom and dad, for the wonderful birthday present. Thanks for fostering my love for the theatre.

I'm forever grateful.