Endings and Beginnings

Ralph Bellamy once said, "Everything ends. But there are always new beginnings." 

Most all of us were somewhere with loved ones and friends as we counted down the end of 2009 and celebrated the beginning of 2010.  Why do we do that?  What's different about that midnight verses any other midnight?  One of the reasons is we celebrate a since of renewal with the beginning of a new year and close the history books on the old.

As 2009 came to a close, it also marked the end of a very dear HFTP family member, Mrs. Roz Trieber.  Roz,  health educator and creator of HUMORFUSION was mother of our very own Jerry Trieber, CPA, CHAE, CFE, CFF, former HFTP Global Board Member and a frequent speaker a HFTP events.  Roz was the author of “The Joy of Living…The Journal That Inspires You To Live Life Laughing,” (2007), “Live Life Laughing: An Innovative and Imaginative Approach to Living A Healthier, Happier and More Prosperous Life” (2000), co-authored 43 Ways To Keep You and Your Taste Buddies Happy: Outrageous and Hilarious Humor Laced Between 43 Healthy and Delicious Recipes (2000), and Life After Schmaltz (1990).  She shared her positive attitude as a speaker at our HFTP conferences and has touched many lives and hearts of our HFTP family.

Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to know Roz very well.  I consider that a loss.  However, I know beyond a shadow of doubt that she was an amazing lady.  I can tell by the stories that I hear from other HFTP members and see the expressions on their face when they are talking about her.  She was well loved.  I can also tell by her amazing son Jerry.  He's a giant of a man in a small frame.  His character, integrity, and good nature are a reflection of her in him.  Many of you have stories about your encounter with Roz and how she affected your life.  I'd love to hear them.  Please post a comment to this blog and share your story.  I also know how much it would mean to Jerry and his family and let's all keep them in our thoughts and prayers.

Now it is 2010.  The beginning of a new year and for the Price family marked the beginning of a new life together when my oldest daughter Leah married Isaiah Adams on January 2nd.  That was probably one of the most emotional days of my life.  I believe I experienced every form of emotion possible:  from worry to relief, from mad to happy, from sad to joyful, from rushed to relaxed, from funny to serious, etc.  You name it; we probably felt it at some point during the day.  As with most all wedding ceremonies, everything fell together at 4:59 and the wedding started at 5:00.  It was a beautiful ceremony.  We had it at the Country Club at The Grove Park Inn where I work.  I must say that the staff and the chefs did an amazing job.  If you're looking for a place to hold a wedding, they really know their stuff.

The ceremony began and I saw my little girl come down the staircase, the same little girl that I was holding in my arms in the hospital nearly 22 years earlier.  I told her back then that I would always be there to take care of her and to love her.  Now, I had to take her by the arm and walk her down the aisle and give her away to another man that is now to be the one to take care of her.  That was extremely hard for me.  I was holding my composure, somewhat, on the outside, but was all to pieces on the inside.  But, I know that she loves him very much and he loves her very much and as Mufasa would say on the Lion King, "That's the circle of life." 

As I mentioned before, the ceremony was beautiful.  We laughed, we cried, we were proud seeing that beautiful young lady stand there and dedicate herself to her new husband and new life.  After the reception I had a chance to have my little girl all to myself one last time.  She picked out this terribly-sad song called I Loved Her First by Heartland.  It was a tear-jerker, but I didn't mind.  For that brief moment I was back in the hospital holding my little girl and telling her how much I loved her.  Now they are on the road.  Isaiah is a long-haul truck driver and she is travelling with him and living in the truck.  They are happy, so I am happy.






I hope 2010 offers some amazing new hope for you as well.  I am excited about the possibilities and the opportunities that I have to see many of you at a future chapter visit or HFTP event.  Together we can brighten each others world and share the HFTP PRIDE.

THANKS
Terry

INTRODUCING
Mr. & Mrs. Isaiah Adams