Happy Friday, All!
I’m gonna do it … ’cause I like doing it! I am Thanking God It’s Friday!! Any objections?!?
Okay, so … my heart is a little heavy today for various reasons … various people I know are experiencing some of life’s most difficult challenges. A good friend from White Plains, Ricky DePalo, has a step daughter … well, had a step daughter … who died in an accident last weekend on the Sawgrass Parkway. Apparently, she was tired and was trying to make it home … but fell asleep first! I have been there and done that … and survived, y’all! Do you know what a blessing is?!? My heart goes out to Ricky as he has planned an event this Saturday at the Signature Grand in Plantation/Ft. Lauderdale to honor this young lady. She was working on her masters at Nova Southeastern University, teaching special education students, and had just bought a home with her fiancee … Peace, please be still!
Additional love and prayers going out to Mrs. Blake … wife of my basketball coach/athletic director at St. Paul’s School. Coach Blake and I have remained friends since I graduated from SPS in 1972! How cool is that?!? At the present time, according to an e-mail he sent me, his wife commonly called “Mrs. B”, is suffering from a fall … and the dreaded dementia! I can only say that my heart goes out to the entire family, including his son, Big Mike, but especially to “Mrs. B.”! You will always be remembered, Ma’am … Love you guys, Coach and Mrs. B.!
Well, if you’ve been reading my e-mails/blogs, you know that I am in a transitional stage of my life. Looking at early retirement, being supportive of my daughter and my grandson – Caleb Isaac, and promoting Educational Excellence … and still working, consumes mostly all of my time. I am sure to get my needed 3 yoga practices in each week, and a sit in the jacuzzi and swimming laps at the gym on Saturdays. It helps me feel balanced and somewhat healthy! All other things are pretty much immaterial!
In closing, I would like to wish one of the most beautiful souls I have ever met in my life a happy birthday – my mother – Marietta Dolores Cook! She was born May 20th, 1917 and left us a bit over 10 years ago … may she rest in peace! Her sister, my Aunt Drucilla (RIP) had her birthday on May 17th, and my sister Edna D. Cook (the “D” is for Drucilla) has her birthday on May 25th. This weekend, our great nieces – Tanisha Mary Ann and Kalieah from the Bronx, NY – have flown down to help us celebrate Edna’s birthday on Saturday!! It will be like a mini-family reunion, if you will.
May we always remember our loved ones …
Peace,
John I. Cook, Director
Educational Excellence 