Life Is A Roller-coaster

This is one of those weeks that exemplifies life. Events and activities that are filled with trepidation and fun. Some tremendous good news, some sorrowful news, and some news that makes you appreciate all that you have and hold dear. All happening in the wrap speed of what we consider normal today; a speed that can cause a range of emotions just like a roller-coaster. Exhilaration one moment, gut wrenching angst the next.

Monday started off with a business trip to Vegas. Now you have to understand . . . I LOVE Vegas. It's not that I'm a gambler. I'm not. It's not that I spend big bucks and go to the $175 a seat Cirque shows. I don't. What I love about Vegas is the pulse. There is always something going on. Something to look at. Something to do. It is Disney World for adults. All the fun. None of the whining.  By the way, one of the best places to go to in Vegas is Red Rock Canyon - Nevada's first National Conservation Area.

I had two shows to cover. Tuesday morning I went to the first one - it's part of an industry that often makes me reluctant to shake hands with some of the people I meet. They have sleazy business ethics. 1/2 of what they are saying is false, the other half is a lie. I guess it was fitting that the show was held in the Mirage resort. There are some great companies to do business with. But like an oasis in a dessert, they are few and far between to find. Luckily I had to spend only a few hours at this show.

Tuesday I woke up to two text messages; one from my brother saying he had news to share. The other from my wife - our young nephew had a seizure that caused him for a short time to lose speech. By the time I called my wife she said he didn't have to stay overnight in the hospital and seemed fine. Her sister, an excellent doctor, was scheduling tests, etc. to find out what is going on. We finished the call by my sharing that my brother had sent a text too. I'd let her know what is going on with him.

About an hour later my brother sent another text - he had proposed to his long-term (6 years) girlfriend and she accepted! I sent a heartfelt congratulatory text back and told him we'd connect when I returned to Chicago. A few moments later I saw this shirt in a local store and laughed.



Wednesday morning my wife called. Our nephew had another seizure. He was being admitted to the hospital and hooked up to monitors so the doctors can get a handle on what's going on.

And she had more news. My mom had called. My uncle had just been diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) which is a stage 4 aggressive primary brain cancer.  With chemotherapy and radiation the prognosis is 12 - 15 months.

Wednesday also was the start of the other show I went to Vegas for . . . the Creative Painting annual show at the Tropicana Hotel.  It was 11 years since the last decorative painting show I attended. I wondered who would remember me (a lot!), who I would remember (more!), and how the business changed (tremendously!). It was great to see artists (Doxie Keller, Judy Diephouse, Lynne Deptula, Prudy Vannier, Debby Forshey, Donna Dewberry, Jillybean & Mary Owens) and companies, (All American Crafts, DecoArt, MartinF/ Weber) I came to know well in the late 80's and 90's. It was good to see new companies and artists such as Stampendous (love their new take on stamps and painting) and really enjoyed taking a photo of Joyce Ortner as she painted a 8' x 5' canvas.  It was also fun to take a video of Janice Miller as she gold leafed a fingernail. I bought my 16 year old daughter some gold leaf so she can do her nails.


Thursday came with the sobering thought that dear friends were taking their teen son to the hospital to have some substantial surgery that while taking care of a significant health issue, it will also alter his life. The good news came late in the afternoon that they surgery was a success and their son is recovering nicely.

So I flew home Thursday evening and got in the door about 11. It felt so good to give my wife a hug and kiss. She asked if I had a good time. I immediately responded with "no". My quick response surprised both of us. Not even the fun and energy of Vegas could overcome the emotions brought on by the roller-coaster of life.