CHRISTMAS 2013
Dear Friends,
Oh, my, time seems to go faster and faster these days, yet how grateful I am that the foundations of my life remain constant – faith, family, and friends. Although my business has been slower than ever before, this has been a precious year of sorting, finishing projects, celebrating, and making new friends. I finally feel as if I have developed “roots” here in Sarasota. I have been blessed with many caring and delightful relationships –and isn’t that what life is really all about?
The biggest event of the year was the celebration of my 70th birthday in May
(I STILL have a hard time saying those numbers since I truly feel about 35! 😉 Two precious new friends held a beautiful and FUN birthday luncheon for 24 girlfriends at the Bird Key Yacht Club. It was a Disney theme, complete with Cinderella’s castle, a visit from Alice in Wonderland, a life size cutout of Grumpy (my favorite Disney character), cakes with butterflies on top, and I even got to be a Princess for the day with a diamond tiara and wand! Each guest got darling flower (crowns) to wear, and one of my clients even sent small bottles of wine for everyone to take home. It was the nicest party I have ever had in my life, and it made me feel so very loved. Thank you, B.J. and Carol, for making my birthday the very best ever!
The weekend after my birthday I flew to Portland and took Gretchen and Erin to the gorgeous Alison Resort and Spa for two days of pampering. (I highly recommend it – rated one of the best in the Pacific NW.) It was one of the few times that I have been away alone with my beautiful girls. I am so proud of them both and honored to be their mother. Special lunches and dinners with friends highlighted the rest of the month. One day, as I was “whining” about not wanting to share age “70” with people, this stunning thought occurred to me: I have been blessed to live longer than either my father, my mother-in-law, or my husband. THAT brought home the reality of how fortunate I truly am! AND in the last three years I have ridden an elephant, a camel, and a Harley, I have climbed a mud volcano and ziplined across the mountains of Hawaii, so it is NEVER too late! 😉
Although I had no international travel this year, I am leaving January 2 for two weeks in Fiji on three different islands for my niece’s wedding, and then in April I am going to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Oman. This year all my travel was within the US and many trips just “for fun.” The whole family spent last Christmas in Seattle at Garrett and Ashley’s beautiful new home, the first time we had all been together for ten years. It was a delightful time of laughter and sharing (except when 14 year old Gavin would not get out of bed for the family picture, so he is missing from the one on the collage ;-).
After Christmas I had a lovely visit with Shannon (who has been a friend for 45 years) and Ken Johnston in Oceanside, CA, and then on to see my Aunt Joan and family in San Diego. (I will be attending her 90th birthday party December 28!) Gretchen’s family came for a week in March; in early April I met my sister, Beth, and two of her friends for a fun week at Disney in Orlando; and later that month, I met several of my SHRM friends for a long weekend of touring (and especially eating!) in Charleston, SC. I had three trips to Chicago this year to speak at SHRM, attend a friend’s birthday party at the “W”, and to speak to NSA-IL, so it was a wonderful chance to see many dear friends from the past. I attended the NSA convention in Philadelphia in July and the Veteran Speakers Retreat in PA in August, the Guideposts Board meetings in Dana Point, CA, in September, and the Lead Like Jesus Board meetings in Dallas in October. I was also privileged to speak to many wonderful clients during the year.
Some exciting professional highlights for 2013 were being chosen as an “ABC Amazing Woman” with a TV interview which ran on the morning and evening news for two days. I was also taped for a special series connected with GoGo Travel as their customer service expert. My 1996 book, “CARE Packages for the Workplace—Dozens of Little Things You Can Do to Regenerate Spirit at Work,” was just designated a classic by McGraw-Hill as it is STILL selling thousands of copies a year! Finally, I just published “Priceless Gifts – Using What God’s Given You to Bless Others” as a legacy to Charlie as this book was his idea. It is filled with ideas of all kinds of things you can give to others. You will love it, I think!
Garrett, Ashley, Gavin (15) and Kinsey (12) Glanz–Garrett is doing extremely well with Microsoft. He had a month sabbatical this year which they spent on the beach in Hawaii. His new toy is a Porsche! Ashley and Kinsey love to ride, so they are getting a horse, and Gavin can’t wait to get his driver’s license.
Gretchen, Randy, Owen (8) and Simon (6) Gawlik – Randy is still working as a webmaster and in graphic arts, Gretchen works part time at a lovely little boutique, and Owen and Simon love music, soccer, and Legos. Owen just had his adenoids out this week, so he has not been a happy camper! I will be with them for Christmas, and they are coming for Spring Break in March.
Erin Glanz –She is enjoying her new home, and she just got a new “roomie,” a darling kitten named “Cricket”. She loves her job with True Collaborative Fashion and travels to the shows in New York, LA, San Francisco, and Las Vegas. I was thrilled that she could come for Thanksgiving.
Although I have not met anyone special in my life, I have become content with many wonderful friends and a life filled with love, adventure, learning, and the chance to make a difference in people’s lives. I am so grateful for each one of you and wish you the most blessed holiday season and a year overflowing with peace, love, and joy.
Blessings,
Barbara
To view past issues of Barbara’s monthly newsletters, go to www.barbaraglanz.com/news/newsletters.html
