Brag

I have been reviewing my 28 things before I turn 28 and putting together my 29 things to do before I turn 29. In doing so, I have been thinking about my place in life, my family and my friends.

I am surrounded by fantastic, brilliant, deep and talented friends and family. This list is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the talents listed for each person, which is so amazing to me.

Mom – The artist. It is my opinion that my family should never buy art, mom should just make it. One of my favorite things as a kid was when mom would draw our coloring pages.

Dad – The woodworker. Dad can refinish the most dilapidated ugly piece of wood into something that should be photographed. I wish I had a huge crappy piece of furniture for him to refinish for our living room.

Christy – The chef. The first time that I had crab benedict Christy made it. I loved it so much that the next weekend I ordered it at brunch. I was so disappointed that I swore off all eggs benedict unless they were made by Christy. She also makes the best shrimp salad I have ever tasted.

Pat – The orator. Pat has the ability to talk about the most ordinary chain of events and have you on the edge of your seat. He has the ability to talk about a historical event and make you think that you were there. If only my history teachers were so interesting and knowledgeable.

Abby – The performer. The world is Abby’s stage. She can sing, dance, act, play instruments and write music. She can do voices and can capture the essence of a character.

Josh – The historian. Josh always amazes me with his knowledge of ancient Egypt and Rome. He can talk about the pyramids and Egyptian kings like some people talk about what happened 20 years ago.

Cindy – The can-do. Cindy can play soccer, walk off the field talk about work, go home and host the entire team with food and drinks all with out breaking a sweat.

Jay – The Spartan Gentleman. Jay loves his family and will go to bat for them in a blink of an eye and he does it with a Rett Butler air. He is great at looking at a situation and determining if he needs to “do battle” or negotiate and he does both in a distinguished manner.

Jordan – The zoo keeper. Jordan has an animal karma that rivals Cesar Millan. She has a calming, insightful spirit that translates both to humans and animals. If ever I am in the wild, I would want Jordan by my side.

Kim – The planner. Kim has lists for her lists. She is always planning, organizing and researching. She is fantastic in a move and she is in her element organizing a party. She has our office bringing in treats and has the ability to look at a situation or group and have it running like clockwork.

Tim – The handyman. Tim knows how to fix anything from a squeak in the floor to building a house. Tim hung shelving at our last apartment, when we moved we thought it would be no big deal to hang it ourselves. We were very, very wrong. The shelf that I hung is not strait horizontally but it is also not strait vertically – so I can’t actually put anything on it that weighs more than about 2oz.

Vince – The ready. Vince tries it all. He is always ready for an adventure. It never occurs to him that he may not be able to do it or that it may be difficult, he just does it.

Marilyn – The fiber artist. Marilyn is the MacGyver of fabric. She can make anything and fix anything, all with remarkable speed. I use weekly if not daily everything that she has ever made me.

Kelly – The leader. Like any great leader, Kelly can assess a situation and figure out what everyone needs and everyone’s strengths and how to make everyone fit in each other’s lives. She has the ability to zero in on the important and throw out all of the stuff that hangs most people up in relationships.

Brandy – The strait talker. Brandy has the ability to tell you like it is – without making you feel bad about it. She listens well and then tells you what you said with amazing clarity.

Last but obviously not least.

Topher – King of all Trades. Topher has the ability to pick something up and master it in a matter of minutes. It does not matter what it is, it does not matter who is teaching it, he just watches it and does it. We started playing soccer at the same time and he looks like he has played for years. We watch a cooking show and he can reproduce the recipe with improvements after just one try.

I am grateful for you all.