Many of you may know that my father passed away on November 24, 2008. The last two weeks have been a surreal whirlwind between having one funeral service here in Dallas and another service this past weekend in Chargin Falls, Ohio, the suburb I grew up in outside of Cleveland.

Although my father was fighting a battle against cancer, his passing came unexpectedly just two weeks ago. He was admitted into the hospital for what the doctors thought were flu like symptoms, which turned out to be an adverse reaction to the cancer drug he was taking. His body developed an infection and he passed away about 36 hours after having been admitted into the hospital. My father lived a life full of vitality and energy all the way up to his last several hours. He was a mind-blowing 81 years old, resembling the youthfulness of a Dick Clark in his physical appearance. (the picture above was taken just last year on his 80th birthday) I could write forever about my dad...he was my role-model, my friend, one of the funniest people I know and a true lover of life. He found joy in the simplest things and my life, as his daughter, was magical and full of wonder. Just being in his Presence was a gift. He was the kind of person I wish everyone could have had the chance to know. Many people were blessed to know him. His funeral service this past weekend was one of the most beautiful experiences of my life. His business partner of 36 years spoke, someone who worked for him at his advertising agency spoke, the son of the owners of The Honeybaked Ham Co. spoke, (who like so many of us, felt my father was his mentor. I didn't realize this, but he actually said my father had a major contribution in the development of their companies structure, which has grown to be the success it is over the past few decades... I also think it's ironic, that as a vegetarian Yogini, one of my father's biggest advertising clients was a company that makes hams), anyways, my sister shared some incredible sentiments about my father and I read something to everyone which spoke to the kind of individual my father was. The whole service was recorded, and I'm looking forward to being able to hear, again, all of the amazing sentiments and memories that were shared by some of his closest and dearest friends.

Many of you may receive this as 'bad' or 'sad' news. But, although it is an incredibly difficult loss, I feel so blessed to have had my father in my life. Although I knew the gift he was while he was here, I am sure I will realize everyday just how blessed I was and am to have had him in my life. So, I would like to share the words I read at his service, which he wrote. Six years ago, on Christmas Day of 2002, my family and I sat around the dinner table and each filled out this form which I had typed up for everyone. I had just returned from an Anthony Robbins seminar called Date With Destiny. I was overflowing with inspiration and eager to have my family share in my experience. So, I typed up this sheet entitled: The Life I Dream is Mine to Receive...December 25, 2002. The sheet had two sections to fill out, the first was My Ultimate Vision and the second was The Life I Dream

Here is what my father wrote...

My Ultimate Vision:

To be a human being that loved and was loved - by his wife, his children and those that were a part of his life. A person who thought of others, treated them the way he wanted to be treated and made them feel good about themselves...like he felt doing it. To do all of the above with a great sincere depth.

The Life I Dream:

Maintain my physical and mental well being until or as long as possible. To acquire enough financial security to do what I want with peace of mind (without sweating it) which would be at least 5 million. ;)
To reach a relationship with my wife that is completely trusting, totally loving and utterly uninhibited.
To enjoy the love and be loved relationship, described above, with my family and their loved ones.
To stay positive - to stay positive - to stay positive with my thoughts and with my behavior. (And then he made some joke about beating my brother at golf and my mom at racing, meaning racing home in their cars from some place. He always loved to do that.)

It's hard to imagine my life without my dad, but even in his passing, he left me such powerful guidance to live by. So, I think I will take his advice, which I have so many times before (but not always ;)) to stay positive, stay positive, stay positive throughout it all. I love you Dad...maybe you are reading this right now. (My dad enjoyed reading my newsletters and blog.) Thank you for being my dad...the most awesome Dad in the world to me...

I will be back soon with some info about the Holiday Yoga Class at exhale this Saturday and other Yoga inspiration as we awaken to the ever-illuminating light of Consciousness with each breath we breathe.

Namaste...Read more