Daddy
My Daddy was my hero.
Kind and loving, generous and hardworking, he loved his family and we adored him.
Below is a photo tribute for my father. Happy Father’s Day, I miss you so.
The quote, “A Happy Childhood Lasts Forever,” sums up my father’s parenting style – an amazing storyteller, an excellent Santa, a funny Daddy who was bigger than a mountain and softer than a teddybear.
My father held us up and made us believe in ourselves. (Me in the 60s, my sister in the 70s):
One of 7 children, 
(2nd in pic), he left his country and came to the USA in his early 20s, 
with no family, no friends, just a few dollars in his pocket, and worked tirelessly to put himself through college, met my mom, got his MBA, 
and they built & earned a life together living the American Dream.
(1st Christmas with mom)
He worked day & night to give my mom, sister & me an incredible life, for which we are forever grateful, 
but even with life’s ups & downs, there he was with a huge & brilliant smile – the most optimistic person I’ve 
ever known! My strength in “Mission: Bright Spot” (read above) comes directly from Daddy.
He founded 6 companies, and as busy as he was, he was never too busy for us. Daddy dropped everything if my sister or I phoned him or popped by the office. He would stop conferences mid-meeting and get up to kiss us & give us a great, big hug.
(Good eye if you recognized my favorite little blue daisy dress above in the picture from 23 years ago – it’s the same dress I wore last year for the photo in the above header of this website – I’ll never get rid of it! 🙂
Inventor of several patents, Daddy was a math genius and was there anytime we needed help with school work. Education was of the utmost importance to my father! Education and persistence.
He always made it a point to pick us up at the airport. When we were little, he read to us at night, took us skiing, ice skating, sledding, horseback riding, boating, and every summer filled his car with neighborhood kids for a trip to Dairy Queen.
Daddy loved to dance…
(gala in the 80s)
…but God needed him, so I never had the chance to dance with him at my wedding.
I met my incredible husband on FATHER’S DAY and Phillip & my Dad share the SAME BIRTHDAY! Signs everywhere!
At our wedding in England, Phillip’s wonderful father walked me down the aisle. Too weak to travel due to illness, my sweet father-in-law did not attend the wedding in the States.
God has called my dear father-in-law as well. Now both Dads watch over us.
My father’s best friend, Ali, escorted me in the States.
(Daddy and Ali goofing around in the 70s)
Many years have passed since my beloved father died suddenly and unexpectedly.
He was laid to rest on Valentine’s Day…appropriate for a man with such a big heart.
He was smart.
He was strong.
He was cool.
He was kind.
He was goofy.
And he was my hero.
My father loved children, it is clear.
He lives on in our family & our memories
and I thank you for sharing this beautiful & poignant holiday with me.
Happy Father’s Day to all the Daddies in the world – no matter how busy you are, nothing can take the place of your quality time with your children. Nothing.
This note sits atop my computer screen. My father was an inspiration to me and to many whom he mentored. Charismatic, fearless, a visionary, entrepreneur, motivator, a true patriot, he was larger than life and is deeply missed by all who knew him.
The Bright SpotTM 
– 
Hello & Welcome!
In a world of curdling sippy cups, crushed gold fish crackers under the car seats, and perhaps even your white-knuckled grip on your last ounce of sanity after a day with the kids, the boss or both, this is an exciting day!!
I personally invite you to journey with me together ~ through this blog, its stories, tips, videos, photo galleries & the upcoming radio show ~ as we discuss life, love, parenting, relationships, and empowerment by finding your Bright Spot.
What is the Bright Spot?
When the world deals you a rough hand, it’s looking for the good in any situation. You know, the silver lining, the lesson learned, the insight, the blessing, the take-away value…ultimately, the hope!
But how can I help empower you?” Oh, believe me, I’ve been there -click on Mission “Bright Spot” in the navigation bar above to get the whole story, but here’s just a glimpse of finding that brilliant spot of hope in my life to empower myself over and over again.
Oh, the extremes!!
I’ve dined at Parliament, and have grabbed dollar burgers at Mickey D’s.
I’ve been chauffeured around England in a Rolls Royce, and I’ve had my finely-coiffed hair sucked out of a tornado-ravaged-blown-out back window of a pick-up truck driven by a wannabe cowboy on a first date. Dear Lord, help me empower myself!
I’ve been served decadent dinners on Caribbean beaches by full moon; and served up my own mac&cheese at home on the fly.
I’ve been interrogated by the FBI (nerve-wracking!) and I’ve been hit by lightening (more nerve-wracking!!); when store registers freeze, my husband smiles at the cashiers, “Oh, that’s just my wife; she’s electric!”
I’ve kissed fools and I’ve kissed princes (yep, the kind with crowns and egos) and sometimes the fool was the prince.
I’ve enjoyed scrumptious escargot within Ascot’s Royal Enclosure, and sputtered up chunks of meat when I found out it was black snake soup in China.
I’ve traveled in private planes, & have been scrunched in the back row of economy class next to the toilets.
And I’ve certainly dated my share of losers and learned the hard way what the lesson – the Bright Spot  – in each sour relationship was – finding out exactly what I didn’t want in a man or a relationship!
So when my husband came along, I knew instantly. We were only in each other’s company 46 days when we married.
Look, I love flowers but I’m no gardener. I love to eat but I’m no cook.
So who am I? Ultimately, I’m a wife, a mom, a daughter, a sister, a woman seizing every minute with gratitude. Enjoy these moments with those you love.
Look at the lesson, the gift, the blessing in every situation – good or bad – find your Bright Spot  and start empowering yourself today!
