"Remember George...no man is a failure if he has friends.....

I love the movie "Its a Wonderful Life".  Donnie and I watch it every year.  To me Donnie is George Bailey.  From the moment I started dating him, and still today, he has continued to "Lasso the Moon" for me.  When we lived in our old house, I can still close my eyes and see him in his pajamas and robe running down Tolman Street during a snow storm shouting "Good Morning Bedford Falls" and feeling the sheer joy of a snow storm and the warmth of knowing his family was safe and warm inside the house.

Donnie to me is Joy.  I am not trying to get sappy, I just wish that everyone could catch what he has, because he is a simple man who appreciates all he has ,gives so much to so many, and never asks for anything in return.. (Very much like George Bailey)

Last night we celebrated at the Wedding of our niece Nicki and her now husband Izzy.  It was a beautiful night surrounded by family and friends.  Nicki read a thank you speech to all of her guests, and in that speech, she referenced something I had said to her at our 25th Anniversary party....she said that I told her is was all about the "Passion" and that Passion was the key.

She is right, and I still feel that Passion everyday.  The passion I speak of is the Passion for Life.  Appreciate all you have and be grateful for friends, family and most of all Love.  At our 25th Anniversary, Donnie was in between jobs, and money was tight, but we still went on with our celebration, because to be surrounded by friends and family is priceless.  Donnie is in between jobs again, and it's a scary thing to be without a job in this economy.  But he never complains.  Last night I watched him dance with our children and their significant others, and his smile could have lit up the room.  He was again "Joy personified"  he was filled with a Passion for life, for his family, for his happiness for his niece, and just happy to celebrating one of life's beautiful moments.  My George Bailey is the richest man I know, and we may not live in Bedford Falls, but we met in a town called Bedford, and even though times may not always be easy....I choose, along with Donnie, to live the mantra..."It's a Wonderful life" and surround ourselves with passion, family and friends....