I just returned from a “family weekend” in San Diego…my niece invited us a few weeks back and so my husband and I made the commitment to attend as we missed last year’s festivities.

My niece has lived in San Diego for 15 years after being a “Valley Girl” from birth…she has consistently struggled with asthma and the change in venue was mainly due to her health. Many times my husband and I have commented to her that she was so brave to go there so many years ago with no job, no connections, no plans…fast forward to today and she has many dear and close friends, a wonderful career after completing her master’s degree, and life is good.

The event she invited us to is made up of many of her friends who pool their designated funds together to host family members to a fun day at Mission Bay with wonderful food, games, and just plain ‘ole visiting. We also had the pleasure of taking my grandson and daughter-in-law (my son was working over the weekend).

I’m always so busy with my career and local obligations that sometimes keep me from enjoying more simple pleasures that I participated in this weekend…an egg toss, a relay, the infamous “three-legged race”, and a pinata (San Diego Chargers theme of course!).

What a delight! I am refreshed, “happy” for fun memories, and ready to face my hectic week.