Last week was a busy, wonderful week, with so many highlights.  Here are some of my favorite positive moments:

An early morning ride to Akron to have breakfast with Bill Jones, master leather craftsman, and creator of the most beautiful leather handbags and belts anywhere.  Bill is an octogenarian and a man of many talents.  He loves to tell jokes and stories, and he regaled us with tales of his adventures – and there were many!  Wonderful conversation and good food shared with a man who won our hearts years ago!

The opportunity to see the CVS store where my daughter, Kylia is the assistant manager.  It looked beautiful, and we met so many nice co-workers of Kylia’s.  We were hoping to meet her boss, Nick, but he wasn’t there.  I later learned he was waiting to surprise us at Hardesty Park, as part of the incredible flash mob!

After the surprise at Hardesty Park, I enjoyed a delicious meal at the Blue Door Café, with my daughters and my friend, Katie!  Scrumptious food, great conversation (mostly about the flash mob) and lots of laughter.

A Google Hangout (video chat) with my niece, Kim, who lives in North Carolina.  She teaches in an elementary school, and pioneered the “flipped classroom” in her area.  Kim and I have always had very similar ideas about teaching and learning, and both of us have had a passion for utilizing technology to enrich children’s learning experiences. Loved being able to chat with her, and to see her!  Even had a few minutes to chat with her son, Carlos, who is now in college!  What fun!

Another evening, two of my best friends stopped in, and Kylia and Kari and I went to dinner with them, at a local restaurant that I had been wanting to try,  The manicotti baked in a stone oven caught my eye on the menu, and it lived up to my expectations!  Yum!  Lots of giggles, chatter and yumminess!!

One of my friends brought me a giant container of blueberries!  I LOVE blueberries!  Our local grocery store only sells very tiny containers of them, and they’re pricey.  What fun to have a big box of them!

My friend, Shelli, sent lots of photos from the homeschoolers picnic that was held last Sunday, at a park on the shore of Lake Erie.  I got to experience the joy of that day all over again, just by looking at all the snapshots!  So many wonderful families!  How fortunate I am to know all these terrific people!

On Friday, I received a large envelope from our friend, Bill Jones, the man the man we met for breakfast on Wednesday morning.  In the envelope was a lovely letter saying how much he enjoyed seeing us again, and a stack of papers filled with comics, jokes and stories.  Bill is a man with a great sense of humor, a tender heart, and kind spirit!  So grateful to know him!

Yesterday, my good friend, Demetrius, stopped by with her husband and their children!  What a delightful afternoon!  We had a good time visiting with them, reminiscing and catching up on everything that has happened in recent years.  Perfect way to spend Sunday afternoon!

I am trying to catch up on all of my mail and emails and messages.  I am deeply grateful for the kindness of so many people.  Thank you for the cards, visits, calls, text messages, Facebook messages and offers of assistance!  I am amazed by the number of people that are willing to pause in their busy lives to do so many kind things for me and for my family!