Mother's Day, Retirement, Commencement, and Double Happiness

Yesterday, May 9, 2021, was Mother's Day. I am so blessed that my Mom, Judith Elnora Welker Hazlett,  is alive and well...and amazing! She celebrated her 81st birthday last weekend. Aside from some minor aches and pains, she is fit as a fiddle. And as much as I love her as my mom, I cherish her friendship and company. We still have coffee/breakfast at Panera every Friday, text or call pretty much every day, attend the KC Symphony regularly, and get together for special events and holidays. The picture here is from my great-aunt's memorial service last month. My mom and I flew to Houston for it and had a wonderful time with family...despite the rain.

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Next up for milestone events in my life; my wife Cheryl is retiring! She has been a teacher for thirty-three years. Her school district had a dinner for all retirees, so my mom and my oldest son, Jack, went to celebrate with her. The dinner, drinks and conversation were wonderful. Memories were shared. And the dedication and passion for her work was recognized. I am so in awe of her. We estimate that she taught more than 1000 students during her career. Everyone of them was lucky to have her as a teacher. Well done baby....I love you.

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The same week of my Mom's 81st Birthday and Cheryl's retirement dinner, my son Ethan graduated from the University of South Dakota with a BA in Sports Marketing and Media. Four years that seemed to fly by. Ethan worked so hard. He proved to himself that he is capable of great things...hard things. I am so proud of him. The future is his.

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So much has been going on. I confess I have been an emotional basket case the past few weeks. Life is speeding by. I can't always keep up. But I reflect on this daily and work to place things in perspective. Music helps me do this. Today, about three hours ago, I heard a piece of music on Sirius XM - Symphony Hall Channel 76 that hit me like a ton of bricks. I had been examining my life these past few weeks and concluded that all of these wonderful life events were truly special and joyous...I am a very blessed soul. But even before any of these events occurred, I was ultimately blessed in so may ways. These events were the cream at the top of the cup. I have "double happiness." And so this music, entitled Double Happiness by Christopher Cerrone,  affirmed this tonight, and I share it with you here. I have Double Happiness in my life.