To quote one of my all time favourite songs – A long, long time ago, I can still remember….

I am grateful for all of the amazing gifts I have had in my life due to my career in the travel industry. Grateful for all the amazing travel, but more so the amazing cast of characters that have entered stage right into my life. Some have exited stage left, but some have stayed, and we are into our second, third and maybe fourth acts in our play called life together. One such friend is celebrating a birthday today. My special friend and spiritual soul sister, Anita.

Picture it, working in the travel industry in the fall and winter of 2001. It was a not the best of times. Recovering from the events of 9/11 when travel just stopped. Anita was working as a business development manager for a supplier that made regular sales calls to our office and usually provided lunch. This particular visit was just that, sitting around the boardroom without lunch. When she was questioned about why there wasn’t lunch, she gave a very pointed answer. To this day, (and I have reminded her about this answer over the years) I will never forget the answer. The answer was – For every pizza lunch I don’t provide to you, is a day longer that I get to keep my job. It was harsh, but it was also life in the travel industry after 9/11. Thankfully the world of travel has recovered and also thankfully that show has closed for both of us.

The next acts of our amazing friendship have continued to grow and mature just like we have. I remember when Anita told me, “I am going to get my masters in Divinity”. I remember thinking (probably out loud) what will that allow you to do. Be a minister, she replied. Her next show was introduced.

To watch Anita become who she is today has been a gift to me.

She lives in Vineland, about 90 minutes from me along the QEW for those who know the area. Spending time in Vineland has really become something special in my life. I call it my spiritual soul visits and I love when I have them.

She has introduced me to a group of wonderful women who also help fill my soul with their friendship, laughter and well, who’s kidding, love of wine and bubbles. After all, when in Vineland, what else do you do. Drink wine.

When Heath passed away this summer, I knew that Anita was in Florida and off line and I didn’t know how I would reach her. I left her, what I am sure was a crazy out of my mind voicemail. I had no idea if she would get the message. She did.

I went out to Vineland on the Sunday after Heath passed. I went to her service and watched her with the kids of the Church. The message was so simple, what do we have an abundance of. I mentioned this in my blog this summer. A bunch of different answers came out and one child said, love. Anita didn’t look at me but said, and love never dies.

Lunch and wine tasting followed services as they usually do. Subdued lunch that day. Reflection. We do that a lot. Reflection on where we are, where we are going and belief that there is good in the world. This is my friend Anita.

My friend whose mission has many parts. She is bringing her ministry to the congregants of two churches, and her passion is bringing clean water to the people in the mountains of Dominican Republic. Clean water as we all should know changes lives. It allows girls to go to school, it allows families to eat healthier and it gives opportunity.

It is Anita’s birthday today. I want to send her the best wishes for today and always.

I am going to Vineland on Sunday. Services, lunch and wine. That will be on the playbill for the day.

Happy birthday Anita. Wishing you the best today and everyday.

Soul Sister