I dropped my youngest daughter off at college this week. My 'baby' is gone and after 24 years of chaos and kids, I finally have gotten a moment alone. My life has been filled with laughter and tears, hopes and disappointment and more drama than I personally care for. I got married only to have…
Pediatric Cancer Awareness
September is almost over and with it the hope that pediatric cancer awareness month would get national attention and major support. Cancer is a terrible disease no matter who the victim is young or old, but even more so for a child. The battle to beat cancer and survive becomes paramount when kids should be enjoying childhood…
Motivation
Motivation comes from within. Our lives keep us moving towards goals and our aspirations get us there. It is when we really want something that we work the hardest. Complacency gets you no where, yet motivation can move mountains. I have devoted the past ten years to my pet project The Honeysuckle Foundation for Children…
Milestones
We measure our lives by years and milestones; birthdays, anniversaries and even divorces and deaths, we remember those days in our lives that something major happened. I remember January 17, 2002 very well for that was the day my daughter Alicia was diagnosed with cancer. This week was the ten-year anniversary of our year from hell, right after the 9/11…
The ‘Devolution’ of the United States
The role of parents to teach, guide and nurture their children is an ongoing process and never a perfect art. There is no book of instructions that comes with a newborn baby so we are left to our own devices to raise our children. The way we were brought up is the basis for what we do with our own children. …
School is out
Today is the last day of school in Naples. The end of another year in what seems like the blink of an eye. I always look forward to the end of school almost as much as the kids do because it means 'free time'. Summer is the time to do a lot of nothing. I…
My cause is childhood cancer, what’s yours?
I am crazy about a cause. Unlike others who like to be involved and 'give back' because they feel it is the right thing to do, I have a personal stake in my cause. In fact, I founded my cause eight years ago when my then 7-year-old inspired me. My cause is childhood cancer and the Honeysuckle Foundation…
I wrote a book…
I wrote a book. I guess it is really no major feat nowadays, since everyone including 'Snooki' and 'JWoww' have written books, in my opinion much about nothing. I think my book is good and those who have read it tell me so, but my book gets no attention. I have no morning news shows wanting to…
Wear our heart on your sleeve
I am constantly thinking of ways to raise awareness and funds for pediatric cancer. Living with me is sometimes like living in a marketing 'think tank' as I am always looking for the novel idea that will take root and spread like wildfire across this country. It may just be a pipe dream, but I…
Heroism
The tragedy in Arizona is all over the news. We have been inundated with media reporting any and all aspects of it and the heroism many exhibited during this time. I am happy for these stories of courage, but I also feel we should remember those who are heroic each and everyday of their lives. …
Rene.Style 