Dear Reader:

I think I am not alone… when I find myself crossing my arms over my chest-it sends out a loud message-I am holding something in that I want to keep close to me-perhaps I am simply not ready to deal with a certain issue, or I am withdrawing inward-I need a break from the world-out of fear, guilt, or sadness.

Over the recent cold, rainy weekend I watched a program on the history of Queen Elizabeth’s royal gardens on PBS. One scene showed baby birds emerging from their nests-ready to take their first flight.

At first there was a hesitancy, but then their little beaks went up and down like they were tasting the air and instinctively they knew to open their wings as widely as possible to rise above the ground-to fly! What an exhilarating experience it must be.

I have decided that there are special, select groups of people who are born to openly embrace life-and my friend, my sister ( in every way except biological) Brooke is one of these people!

From the first day she entered our freshman dorm room… bursting in with wide hug embraces for everyone-the light shone brighter for my whole family.

Having overcome many personal tragedies , in her life, before I knew Brooke-her whole-hearted embrace of life and laughter was even more remarkable. It got to the point that if I came home for a weekend from college… a sigh of disappointment was audibly heard if Brooke didn’t , also, appear at the door!

Even tall, thin 6’5 inches of David would ” pretzel ” down to get a big hug and embrace from Brooke. Our family had never been particularly physical in their expressions of love but all that changed with Brooke!

Brooke’s heart was always wide open and -she knew intuitively , with all her friends, that to enter a friendship without opening one’s heart was to jump off a roof without spreading one’s wings. It was what made Brooke so popular-her love of life was and is infectious!

So until tomorrow-When we find ourselves pushing inward with arms crossed-remember to fling them open and rise above earthly troubles… embrace life… it’s too short not hug it!

” Today is my favorite day” Winnie the Pooh

❤️ Please continue to keep Brooke and family in your prayers -Ted has been moved to a rehab center in Walterboro .

This is too cute! Rutledge wrote the Phillip Simmons High School Coach congratulating him on his outstanding football season and expressing his hope to quarterback there one day. The coach and his outstanding quarterback for this season surprised Rutledge at his school yesterday!