As many of you know, my Dad passed away on Easter of this year and it truly devastated me. I’d already lost my brother (he was 33) as in 2005 to colon cancer which never allowed my family to be the same again, but then for my Dad to leave us, quite unexpectedly, is something that will haunt me for the rest of my life. I was in a state of depression for months, which I guess is natural, but I am feeling better. Saturday, though, was his birthday and naturally it got me sad and made me miss him even more. But instead of moping around, crying and being upset, I decided to take all that energy and express it as only I know how: in a video.

I took my dog for a walk to “the park” (aka a place near our condos) and it was a happy day for him. So what does that have to do with my Dad? Deco was there for me every single step of the way going through and getting out of my depression after Dad died (as well as my Mom, my boyfriend, my friends and my coworkers). But those who have dogs know, there’s something that only they can feel and something only they can do – and I truly feel like Deco heals my heart when it’s broken.

My Dad loved Deco. Loved him. So here’s to you, Dad. Happy Birthday. May we love those we love, forgive those who need to and never take a day for granted again:

We all have heard the news from the last several weeks and I must say, it really has brought me down. The world’s economy is falling apart, literally. Constant mud is being thrown from side to side in this intense political election year. America seems divided on some major issues which we all know what can happen to a nation divided… crime is constantly around us as is disease and death.

I came home this past Wednesday from work and I was a bit down in the dumps. A long week. James, my boyfriend, decided to take me and our dog, Deco, to a park and it literally opened my eyes to something so profound. We don’t have to step too far away from our own backyards to see that we do, in fact, live in a wonderful world.

Have you ever heard a song and it grabs you immediately? Pulls you completely in? Well this happened to me. I love this song. Brandi Carlile sings it.

For some reason, I had a lot of creativity in me when I heard this song this morning. So five hours later, here it is. This is the story of my life since I’ve lived in Dallas. It’s only been 4 years, but I’ve had a lifetime happen in those 4 years. 

This is my life these past 4 years, my struggles, my pain, my happiness and my joy. This is My Story.

As most of you know, I just got back from a wonderful family vacation in Destin, FL. Destin is one of the most beautiful beach towns I’ve ever been to. I loved it and James and I had such a great time with my family. If you haven’t seen the Moxie Mo Show (episodes 8 and episode 9), please check them out as they show why Destin is called the Emerald Isle.

I wrote an article on Culture Feast before I left on vacation explaining why I was so stressed and why I was in such need of a vacation. My fear, initially, was my vacation would just cause more stress to my already stressed out life. I just started a new job with Fossil as a Sr. Recruiter and prior to starting, life was a bit complicated and super anxious due to uncertainty with where my career path would take me. I started a wonderful, new job and then knew that I would be leaving for Destin which caused my stress to go even higher because I had a lot to do, professionally and personally.

I’m happy to report that I feel refreshed, happy, relaxed and fulfilled (and have a nice lil’ tan going) and I must give all the props to Destin. It’s truly a GREAT place to vacation (family, children or even just yourself) and if you have any questions about the locale, please feel free to email me.

I appreciate all of your comments and emails and tweets and I appreciate you continuing to come back and support my blog as well as my new venture with the Moxie Mo Show. We have over 1,000 people who have downloaded the podcast in iTunes and I couldn’t be happier! I realize these numbers don’t compare to Geekbrief, PopSiren or even PhillyD, but they all had to start somewhere, right? So, if you like the show, do me just ONE FAVOR and tell a friend to subscribe to the Moxie Mo Show!

So many of my Twitter friends today heard about my horrible story at lunch… this is as true as it gets… just listen to what I witnessed today at a gas station here in Dallas, TX and the events that occurred afterward. What would you do?

Steve:

On this day three years ago, you left us. You fought so hard. You never gave up, until you had to. You sat there, in your bed, lifeless for the last two weeks of your life. Cancer had ravished your body to a tiny, skeletal frame. Yet, on the day you transformed into a spiritual being, you were able to utter your last words to Mom. “Take care of my family,” you said. Mom then gave you the blessing to stop fighting, to stop worrying and to stop trying… and just go.  Go be with God. And you did.

That day will live with me forever. It was a day that changed our family in ways I would never have imagined. Your precious daughter, 10 years old, wondering what life was going to bring her next. Your other daughter, not yet born, would come into this world without her Dad. It didn’t make sense. Why would God do this to you? Why would God do this to us? Questions I will never solve.

So, three years later, where are we? Well, your daughters are gorgeous. I love my nieces. Presley and I are closer than ever before. Savannah, she’s growing up so quickly. I wish I could be home to see her grow up, but Mom and Dad keep me posted. And Mom and Dad? Well, I wish I could say they were better, but they’re not. It changed them in so many ways that only God’s grace has kept them moving forward. But we’re a strong family… you know that, especially you.

I’m still in Dallas. I wish you knew James. It’s been two years now… an amazing feat for me, huh? You would really like him. He reminds me of you sometimes (the stubborn part! hehe). I’m still dealing with losing my only brother and there are days I’m great. I’m strong. I have to be for Mom and Dad. Then there are days I lose it. Things don’t make sense. My anger doesn’t subside either with God. He and I are still battling it out, although I know, He will always win. I don’t hate him, though. I just am mad.

What gets me the most, now that you’re gone? I took your advice for granted when you were hear. Brotherly advice is something I crave. I want to know if my decision is right or wrong. I want to know someone is there to protect me, just like you did when I was little. I don’t have that anymore. Guess that’s part of life.

But I know you’re listening and that means everything to me. I hope you’re happy, I hope you’re filled with love and healing and I can’t wait to see you again. I love you.

Your lil bro,

Jeff

I’ve had the topic of relationships going in my head for a couple of months now.  I’ve been with my significant other for 2 years (June 2nd) and although we’re going through a pretty rough, rocky time I am still working my ass off in making it succeed and so is he.  Of all topics that humans deal with, relationships seem to be one of the hardest topics to understand.  Why?  Well, it seems with my own personal examples, whenever you have to seek answers outside of yourself and your partner, you get so many conflicting answers from people.  Some say to do this, others say to do that.  Some say if he/she doesn’t say or do this, then he/she doesn’t love you.  Others say that’s simply not true.

So I want something in writing.  I want to know what makes YOU and YOUR relationship tick.  And if you’re single now, give me an example of when you were in a relationship and what worked (or what didn’t work might be a better answer).

I want to do a little project with you, my awesome and educated readers.  Please leave a comment below and answer this following question:

In a relationship, what is the one thing that keeps it going? (alive, working, longterm, thrive, survive)?  Give me your one answer and feel free to elaborate.  I will be forever indebted to you!