My Tribute to Dylan

My Dearest Dylan,

It is hard to believe you are "18" and you will be graduating from high school this week.  It seems like only yesterday you were born.  You were so eager to enter into this world that you came several weeks early.  Even arriving early, you weighed seven pounds, four ounces and was twenty inches long.

I know you think you are getting older.  You are, but life is only beginning.  

Graduating from High School is only one of many milestones you will reach in life.  Some other milestones you will reach are earning a paycheck; graduating from college; finding your own path in life; surviving disappointment(s); getting married; having children and so many more.

You did reach a milestone two years ago when you dealt with pawpaw's death.  It was hard.  His one goal for you was to see you graduate from high school.  I know he will not be there personally, but I know he will be cheering you on from heaven as you walk across the platform to receive your degree.

I am so proud of you and all that you have already accomplished in the past eighteen years.  You have become a young, heart-warming, caring individual.  You have that quiet side, but I know you are looking around and trying to figure out the situation(s) as well as the individual(s).  In the past year, I have seen you mature and stepped-up to the plate in assisting your great-grandmother with everyday life.

As you graduate, I want you to know the world is out there and waiting for you.  You have so many opportunities.  Take advantage of them.  Don't allow the words "no"; "I can't do it" or "it is impossible".  Everything is possible.  It is your attitude and how you will take life by the horns and solve the problem(s) without any further delay.  You may fall, but you may also soar.  The choice is yours.  Remember Nike's slogan "Just Do It!"

In my almost sixty-nine years of life, I have had the opportunity to do a lot.  It took me eighteen years to graduate from college, but I did it.  I had obstacles along the way, but I never allowed those obstacles to keep me from striving to do my best and to accomplish the task.  

Some Words of Wisdom:

1.  It is "OK" to take a year off between high school and college, if you are unsure of the path you want to take.  You can mature during this time, save some money and learn a lot about yourself.

2.  Don't lose your values.  Don't be easily influenced(which I don't think you are).  Know yourself and your limits.

3.  Stay in touch with family(mee-mee, your mom, your aunts and other close family).  Always remember, we love you and we are there to listen to listen to you during the good times and rough times.

4.  Be kind to others and especially to yourself.  Encourage others.  Everyone wants to hear "you can do it"; "you are special" and it is also OK to cry.

5.  Have fun and make good choices.  Some choices will be good, but others will not be.  When in doubt, don't do it.

6.  If you need help, ask for it from your family and friends.  Everyone wants to help.

7.  Work hard & focus.  If you are working, respect your employer and always do your bet.  It may not be a job you want to do, but others are watching on how you handle situations.

8.  Don't be a push-over or vulnerable to people who will take advantage of your generosity(you are very generous), your money or your time.  Know your limits and when it is time to stand up for yourself and kindly say "no".

9.  Eat healthy & exercise.  As you get older, you will be glad you did!

10.  Remember what fuels your passion--If what you study or where you work doesn't bring you joy and satisfaction, re-consider your course choices.  It is far better to realize you are on the wrong path early in life than hating something all your life.

11.  Follow your dreams.  Embrace all of the opportunities and challenges that will come with working and going to school.  Your family is cheering you on!

I could go on and on and on, but I will stop.  

Dylan, I am so proud of you and the man you have become.  God has great plans for your life.  You may have to stop and be still and listen and get off your phone, but God is talking.  He will guide you!

Thank you for being a part of my life.  You will never know how much you have taught me!

You will always remember "2022"!

Congratulations!

DD

Enjoying Las Vegas!

A week ago, my husband and I traveled to Las Vegas to celebrate his birthday, to meet friends and to see the "Doobie Brothers".  We all had a great time.  Vegas is many things to many people.

When one thinks about Las Vegas, you normally thinking of gambling, drinking and acting crazy.    You know the phrase "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas".

Vegas is a lot more than gambling and drinking.  The strip always reminds me of a theme park, but for adults.  There is something about the hotels and their decor.  The hotels are visually appealing with the various themes.  

One of those spectacular hotels is the Bellagio.  Once you visit the Bellagio, you will never forget it. Your eyes are drawn to the front of the hotel with the fountain swaying, enhanced by music and light.  You are looking at more than 1,000 feet of water with the water rising as high as 460 feet into the air.  The music flows with the dancing of the fountain. Those are the best photos at night.  Capturing the water as it escalates in the background brings a chill to you.  There are so many angles for photos.  My favorite is at night with the fountain soaring into the dark sky with the bright lights of the Eiffel Tower in the background. 

As you enter into the hotel, your eyes are drawn to the ceiling.  Fiori di Como is Dale Chihuly's interpretation of Italian flowers in the spring.  There are over two thousand vibrant colors of glass flowers one stands under as you check into the hotel.

The Bellagio is one of many.  You definitely want to check out the hotels as you cruise the Vegas strip.

Some of the spectacular hotels you do not want to miss are:  Caesars Palace; Paris Las Vegas; The Venetian Resort; New York-New York Hotel; The Mirage and so many more.  You could spend the day going from one hotel to the next.

When I think of Vegas, I think back to the 60's and all the different performers.  The Rat Pack(Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Peter Lawford, Sammy Davis Jr. and Joey Bishop) performed at the Sands for many years.  Wayne Newton performed more than "30,000" shows in Vegas.  And one of my all time favorites was Elvis Presley.  He performed "636" consecutive shows at the International and Las Vegas Hilton.

Now days, Vegas is known for the following performer, Celine Dion  who had residency at Caesars Palace.  She performed there for sixteen years.  Other well-known performers have been Rod Stewart, Elton John, Katy Perry and many more.  Miranda Lambert has announced a 24-show residency at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in September.  There is always someone performing in Vegas.

During the day, one can enjoy day trips to Hoover Dam, which is only about 45 minutes from Vegas.  This dam is one of the seven engineering wonders of the modern world.  You can stop here on your way to the Grand Canyon, which is one of the seven natural wonders of the world.  This incredible canyon is a four hour drive or a 45-minute flight from Las Vegas.

In January, my husband and I enjoyed a four day trip to Las Vegas to get away from the cold and snow in Colorado.  On this trip, we drove two and a half hours to explore Death Valley.  January is the perfect time to visit.  Death Valley is known for extremes.  It is North America's driest and hottest spot with fewer than two inches of rainfall annually and a record high of 134 degrees fahrenheit.  Also, it has the lowest elevation on the continent at 282 feet below sea level. 

If you are wanting to stay in the area, the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay is a great exhibit.  It is home to 2,000 animals, including saw fish, giant rays, endangered green sea turtles, piranha, jellyfish and sharks.  There are more than "100" sharks, including "30" in the 1.3 million gallon main tank, one of the largest in the US.

As you can see, there is a lot to do in Las Vegas with the hotels, museums, restaurants, shows, tours and so much more.

If you are needing a nice get away, Las Vegas is the place to go.