The people we meet.

I often write about words that set me on fire.
Words like,
Acceptance,
Honor,
Love,
Appreciation,
Blessings......

But lately I realize that my world ignites from the people I meet. The things they bring to my table. The lessons they teach me, even if they are unaware.

We, if we choose, meet people all the time.

 Its truly up to ourselves what we do with them.

To be kind,

my new insane family!

To ask questions,
To care,
To not judge.

Unless we live our life in fear of others.

 I hope that all who read this enjoy the people that they touch and whom touch them daily.

I wish I was able to share all of my private emails. The ones of once strangers that are  now enjoying my journey with me.

Those humble words of gratitude that allow me the smile on my face as I enter the bed, and the words that give me a bigger grin as I am blessed to wake to a new, amazing, unwritten  day.



Sally (Kiernan) on Mad Men enjoying the day with us:)

I never take for granted those that I meet.
 I have learned that everyone has a unique and intriguing story.

Even more insane family!

Oh Yes, I have met many that think my questions are intrusive or nosey.


But that wont stop me.

Actually Nate, has taken over my voice at times, as he introduces the world with  his daily "Hello, I'm Nate" along with a firm handshake.
 Most peeps become our friends, some even stay and become family.

Our latest trip to California was just that.

A Holly-ride of amazing, generous, heart full humans.

From the talks on the airplane that originated from a smile, to the amazing man at our pool.

Stories that will knock your socks off.
All from a simple hello.

Anther huge lesson that I have learned along my way, is to "ask"...simply ask.

If you question from your heart I see no worries ahead.

It began with a simple Facebook message to a producer in California that knows a friend of mine.

It spoke volumes as this man wrote me back within 24 hours.
It trumpeted sounds of character as he had already looked up my website.
 He was kind, he was honest and he was magical. (may I add handsome....sorry Hal, had too)
As you see I asked this man for a simple something.

It ended with a day of celebration on the MTV's #1 show AWKWARD.  Yes you heard me. I asked, he delivered with kindness.

Nate was treated like a king as we were welcomed with Producer chairs and food from their service. Honestly, what a beautiful man.
 He gave.
 He got back my friendship.
Forever and honest.

The cast of AWKWARD.

We spent a sunny magical day poolside at my favorite little Hollywood hide away.
I went to check on who Nate was carrying on with.
His name was Ingo.

A gentle soul full of tattoo's and an accent from his German homeland.
Ingo you see is a drummer.
A real drummer.

 

A professional drummer for decades to bands that exceed my musical expertise.
We joined laughs and smiles. We exchanged e-mails and bid each other a fond good-bye.

Seriously, who has friends like this? I DO!!!!!!

Ingo my new friend will be hosting a "Drummers for Down Syndrome" awareness event, including some of his amazing drummer peeps.
Are you kidding me?

It was that easy.

It feels better than the indulgence of oozing hot fudge loaded with nuts.

Money cannot purchase this.

Take you mansions and your Prada,

I have friends.

 Friends that understand me and my crazy mind along with the notion that we really can make a difference in this world.

Yes they jumped on to Holly's crazy bus.

But the amazing thing,
they haven't asked to open the door and jump off.

Imagine that?!

Shall I continue to talk about my new sister. My new brother, brother in-law. Their kids that somehow blended right out of my lap and into my heart.

The friends that I now love, and think about daily. The friends that open up their homes, nurture me with warmth and genuine care.
 And then there were their friends that they shared.
The gals who not only bought me a bracelet and left it with inspiring words at my bedside, and yet another that borrowed something for me to use.....It just kept pouring.


Aunt Marcia

Uncle Larry

 It poured so heavy that I was eating humble pie.
Daily.



How did I meet them...I have no idea.

 Maybe I'm just lucky..

Or maybe I have worked really hard to achieve this.

It was never about money,
Fame,
fashion or ego.

Just the simple idea that I had.. that we should all be accepted as equal.

That 'I am who I am' would resonate throughout our world, as loud as 'just do it'.



Our crazy kind waiter!

How about the man that we met as we were in awe of a store front on Melrose Ave.

 The shop was full of gowns that only Gaga would wear.
 Lindsey stood with delight.
I asked the man close by if he knew what this place was, no door no sign just art.

Well, it was HIS shop.
AND YES, we got a private tour.

Cuz I asked,

I said hello,

I stopped to talk.

 

 

 

 

 

Give back more than you get and the world will align.


Thank you Chris for Nate's beach toys!

Daily I feel so damn lucky.

But Luck has nothing to do with this does it?

I work hard.
I give,
Then I give more.
I love with an open kind heart.
I do not judge others.
I listen,
I ask.
I say hello.
 I will never be able to tell you about the lives that touch mine.

I can only tell you to go out and meet someone new today.
Or tomorrow.

The opportunities are endless.

Some of my peeps:)

You're not happy with what surrounds you?

GET UP.

Change that.

I am who I am.
I am so grateful for my friends, the old and the new.

I am grateful beyond measure.

If you're reading this it is probable that we have  met and that we are steps away from something amazing.

From my outstanding friend Joey:)

I hope you don't mind...
But I'm just going to start with a simple 'hello'.

Glitter on the Side: Washington!

Glitter on the Side: Washington!: I have written this blog several times, Losing it to error and erasing it cuz it just didn't flow. Wishing myself luck today as I sit ...

Washington!

I have written this blog several times, Losing it to error and erasing it cuz it just didn't flow.

Wishing myself luck today as I sit here jabbing at the keys while the jabbing sensation from my ridiculous oral surgery is pounding right out of my cranium...

But this writing will be a good one. It has to be, full of greatness.

People that walked into my life in the past few weeks.
Leaving gigantic footprints on my soul.

Helping to shape my very being.
 Just when you think you have learned it all.
Take another deep breath and take it all in,
Every last ounce.


Open up to the possibilities.

Because around every door, is a story.

A compelling, beautifully scripted story of someone's life.

No 2 alike.

Just honest lives shared with others.

Damn I am one proud lady.
If I had only known then.....

So here ya' go, especially to my tween fan club.
 You have some learning to do.
I hope my preach is an easy one to understand. After all, we are our best actors in our own one man play.
Play it well, loud and honest.
Just accept those who are different.
We are all unique in our own way.

Leave judgment at the door.

Allow their stories to guide you.

Judge the written script if you must.

But listen to the story, beginning to end.


Williamsburg Va. and Washington D.C.

I was gifted this trip.
An honor from the get go.
Here is how Holly's world works...

I met a woman named Mary Joe, she is the founder of a foundation called 'Circle of Friends'.
This remarkable woman who immediately became my friend and mentor takes kids from the St. Ignatius prep high school and pairs them up with students from the Ray Graham school for disabled teens.
 This is a win, win.
A week of touring,
 And hopefully lessons learned.

Immediate pals.
Different worlds,
Different colors.
Different worlds, shapes and sizes.

Within days, their stories blossomed.
Bloomed right in front of my eyes.


I am a lucky one,
I choose to not see  color or shapes or sizes.  I am who I am, proud, bold, technicolored and choose NOT to see societies stereotypes.

But others are not blind.

Others see, and judge.

I can hardly capture with words the gifts I received during that week.

The gifts did not encompass the White House or the Changing of the guards,
 although breath taking.

My gifts were opened during breakfast when I spoke with a mom of a special teen.

Not just a mom you see but a true warrior.
 Picking up her 120 lb. son from a dead weight, from wheel chair to bus, from bus to wheel chair.




Never complaining.

I know her back was screaming but she wore a smile.
 A smile of pride when her son spoke, he spoke with difficulty eager to have us listen.
Telling us his story, his life, his moments and we were fixated on his resilience.
 But his mother...that's who captured me.
 You want to see a lamb turn into a lion?  Watch this mom if someone over looks her pride. It just won't happen.

The Grandma that took in her grandchildren. Two of which are special. Her daughter died, a pain that is unimaginable. She spoke of power, and courage and the daily walk. One that she did not choose, but she bought without a hesitation.

I was gifted to meet some brothers.

Handsome as the devil boys, with their futures as bright as a brilliant diamond.
Taking gentle care of their broken brothers.

Holding doors.

Grabbing plates.
Smiling hello.
Helping.
Holding.
Taking care.

Some kids might be the type of kids that if you saw on the street you may walk away from.

Those boys and girls made my heart sing.

Daily.


A young man that I never heard speak.

Rose above the fear and belted out  "Happy Birthday' with as much pride as the Cheshire cat with the mouse hanging from his jowls.

The young man that sang Luther Vandross and had us all with joyous tears run down our face.
The young girl that danced with Joffrey Ballet technique- yet I assure you she never saw a ballet in her life.

Yes, these are my hero's.

I probably will forget the name of the first settlers in Virginia.

But I will never forget the pride that glowed out of me when I was invited on this trip.

I didn't see the Mona Lisa or the Louvre.

I was somewhere so much better.

 

I was at the breakfast buffet with some of the most amazing people I have ever met.

Thank you Mary Joe for including Nate and I.

I am forever changed.

 

When you see me speak with confidence and wear my very own smile that radiates across my face.

Now you see where it comes from. It doesn't come from the winning lottery ticket or back stage passes to meet Pink. (ok, that would be cool).
It comes from pure, raw, honest grateful pride and joy.



Thank you to the Ray Graham high school for allowing me into your students lives.
I will probably never be rich or famous.
But the richness that I have been given will rock the heck outa anything that the lottery may provide.

I am my own Rock Star.
A proud, over the top, living life large kinda gal.

Where do I get the energy from??

YOU......

Every last one of you.
I gotta keep on climbing.

I am who I am.

PROUD and FEARLESS.

Heck look at who is walking along side of me now....
I gotta keep up with all you fierce mommas...

Together we really can change the world.
Making this a better place,

Accept me for who I am.
I promise to do the same.

www.iam-whoiam.com

.

California

(Just getting into my rental car- so happy!)

I'm never going to get enough.
Not enough time, space or luggage....


 Not sure if its cuz something is missing deep within me...
Stuck there from my childhood or just the methodical vibe.
The smell.
The air,
Friendships.
Sights.
But definitely not because of their freeways.
Seriously....I totally understand road rage now.

CALIFORNIA.

My total nirvana.

My happy place.



Farmers Market.

Yes, full of childhood memories. Tangible, life altering moments of days gone by. Memories so alive that I can touch them. Feel the skin and smell the scents.
My childhood.
My adolescents, my teens, my years.
All stem from the memories of Cantors deli.
One Matzo ball at a time:)

Right on Fairfax Blvd.
Danish and corned beef.

It is just that.


The sweet smell of the weeds that grow in abundance on the freeway entrances.
The kindness from a state full of transplants.
The love for art, and the desire to be you.
Individuals.

The wanna be's merge with the endless homeless.

The sun shines bright like a garnet and the wind blows through my over colored hair like a whisper of sweet melodies.

I love it there.

From the moment my plane lands. I wear the smile of a lottery winner.

Maybe I really did make a wrong turn in my 20's.

 But my story ended me here.

With 5 outstanding children in a home that is blessed with "I am's".

Something happened to me again on this trip.
No solid Oprah "ah-ha" moment.
Better.
So much better.

As I sat alone on the sandy beach of Venice, I was star struck by natures beauty. The fact that I was alive and well and able to enjoy.

Simple.

I took the breath in as to waken my soul and I let the goodness attach to my being. It did, it just oozed right in.

Magical moments were at every door that I entered.
Friends- somehow became family.
The family I have always dreamt of.
Sisters, brothers, extensions of myself.
Accepting all the crazy and enjoying it as well.

I walked the boulevard in hope of reconnecting with an artist that I have met twice before. Discouraged that I could not find her....
One more block I gave myself and kept my hopes high.
There she was.
Turned to me and smiled, cried that I remembered.
Honored that she remembered me.
Touched within.


I live for those moments. Was it the hair that made the memories permeate or was it so much more?

Kindness.

Simple kindness.
We spoke about life and our journeys and we never forgot.

How friggen cool is that?

Happiness kept me awake.
Smiles were tattooed on my face thought-out my week.
Deep broad colorful stokes of beauty from within others, that were gifted on to me.

Gone in a blink.
But will be remembered for a life time.

The kindness I received from my extended family,
The friends of theirs that they shared with pride to me.
The simple nightstand that was decorated with love and goodness.

The stories that were given,
The tears, hopes, fears that we all shared were bonded together.
Happiness, laughter and family enlivened the table.
Unforgettable meals, a bottle or two of RumChata, ocean waves, sunshine and harmony.

My California.

My Nirvana.

How does one thank the kindness of others?
My simply writing a blog or sending a gift?

Nope mine will be covered in glitter and wrapped around my arms like a warm and fuzzy stole. Never leaving it behind.
My new friends, family and loves are there to stay.

Maybe just another visit and I will be satisfied,

Or maybe two.....

My California.

venice



My new friend Rum-Chatta:)



Dumpster diving at a guitar manufacturer:)



No joke....breakfast!



Living the dream.



Disneyland







Mario Lopez excited to see me:)



really excited to see me.....



Hollywood sign...



need I say more?



probably the coolest $600.00 boots ever! Wish list:)





My favorite place ever.....