gREETINGS from Traverse City Michigan!

I arrived in spite of

Delta!!!

After getting my fancy dancy Avis

rental SUV (RED Mercury Baby)

with a fine sound system

that drives, "fine just fine",

and

a GPS to tell me how to get to

the

HOLIDAY INN !

I pulled into a parking lot

and almost fell out of the car!

HERE is my view as I turned left

into the

Holiday INN on

Front Street of

Travese City MI

I'm thinkin cuz Angie was wishin she was my chauffer this trip and that it was she laying on that beach!

I was "amazed that here as I turned into the parking lot, I was viewing SUCH BEAUTY OF THE WATERS!!!

Fantastic welcome

I am thinking,

so I parked the car, and casually walked to the beach before checking in!

Then I was greeted by two young women,

BRITTANY AND KAYLA!

Both professional, both lovely,

and

both a fine representation of

the Holiday Inn

as they welcomed me!

They let me know that the beach actually was wonderful fresh water, led into

Lake Michigan

and was there to enjoy!

Darn, I did not bring my bathing suit

and

did actually have all afternoon I could have been out there on that beach!!!

That will teach me,

should I be invited back to this enchanting place.

The view from laying on my bed in the room and looking across at the mirror!

Now isnt that just amazingly beautiful?

I also had the opporunity to meet

Kathy L. Maruskin,

 the Director of Sales and Marketing after a stroll on the little boardwalk looking at the waters edge. She was delightful and had a lovely bouquet of lillies on her desk, all of my favorites too.

She said she was from the big city of Detroit and had moved here to a little place out in the woods with five acres and everyone thought she was crazy leaving the city,

but this was "home" and she loved it!

She spoke about how you can't just walk in a grocery store without spending thirty minutes talking to folks they are so kind and friendly here,

and her passion and love for this place was obvious along with her job here at the

Holiday in of the West Bay

615 East Front Street

Traverse City MI

I'm planning on feasting on their signature dish of

white fish tonight, she has told me it is the best anywhere

and they are known for it!

So I told her I would be letting her know tomorrow!!!

But then wouldn't ya just know,

spirit leads you to be where you are supposed to be;

so

I'm outside sitting on a bench looking at that most marvelous view and a woman by the name of

Sharon

is sitting beside me.

We talk a bit

and

she tells me she and her husband are here for their anniversary

from

Detroit.

And before you know it,

she is telling me of her beloved daughter who developed

BREAST CANCER AT 24

and

died two years ago July

of

BREAST CANCER.

We talked a bit more

and

then she asked if I had any of my books with me,

I told her before the day ended out

I might lose a pound with as many trips

I was making to room

318

getting books!

We both laughed

and

told her I would be right back.

As I entered the hallway I heard my name

and it was Kelly beckoning me to come and meet

her "boss"

THE GENERAL MANAGER

OF

THE HOLIDAY INN!

I ran in and shook hands

with a wonderful woman

named

Debra!

and said, "I'll be right back"!

After signing

Healing Heartaches and hugging Sharon from Detroit and talking a bit,

I was then

treated to a cocktail by the GM and Kelly of Catering and Sales

and introduced to the entire staff that was working it seems. All of which I enjoyed meeting, and thanked all for their warm welcome and hospitality.

What a lovely time we had!

I also learned that Debra's son

Is a Veteran,

Joe Brown, I thank you for your service!

He also was a NFL player for the

Seattle Seahawks...

Now how bout that for getting me some

"cred" from my godsons?

LOL

The ladies informed me

that their restaurant is known to have best ever

"pan seared fresh Wallyeye"

and

that I must have that for dinner!

SO I DID!!!

OMG!

It was
"off the hook delicous"

with a cherry butter topping to die for"

I mean outrageously good ...

><

Then for a walk on the little boardwalk and

a sailboat in the distance and the waves hitting against the sand!

Ah,

life is good this evening,

and

I am here 1400+ miles from home

and

have yet to imagine what today holds!

So far,

Traverse City is a place to see and the folks I've met are

5 STAR!

I will keep you posted as the day progresses

and I marvel at the beauty of the waters edge

and walk out just to put my feet in the water here

just cos' I can!

I was also honored to meet a man on the plane coming here, that was a Veteran of the Marines. He too lives in the Tampa Area. It was a joy watching him on that IPAD of his, and I thank him for his service.

Then on the last leg of the trip (that was almost missed thanks to Delta)

I was again honored to meet a man who is in law enforcement from Texas.

I was truly honored to speak with him, he was coming here for a training, and was with his family.

A Kind but strong man, I wish him safety in his work, and joy in his life... We are blessed to have him walking the walk keeping those in Texas safe.

><

and now a moment to reflect and to

honor:

A man that has known me all of my life

died suddenly Sunday with his family bedside

after traveling to southwest Virginia to attend his high school reunion and then falling seriously ill and becoming hospitalized there.

My Mom was invited to come to the hospital as she and he have known each other since they were teenagers; it seems he recognized her voice and gently squeezed her hand twice in recognition.

All efforts to help him were attempted.

Joe John Thompson,

 of Louisiana

a man I loved all of my life and particularly loved as a little child and one who taught me to shoot a bow and arrow, and if memory serves me my first weapon!

A handsome devil, who was spose to wait til I grew up to marry me! A young man who protected me from things that were percieved threats to a little kid, and also very real threats as well,

a guy who grew into a man,

and

one who I remember fondly.

\ ' /

He will be missed by all who loved him

and

he will dance in the lights of heaven as those who loved him now will welcome him to the other side.

Dance on Joe John, your work here is completed.

My thoughts and condolences to his family, friends and all who loved him.

Walk In Beauty Friends,

don't waste a moment, it all goes by so quickly.

DRSES

author of

Healing Heartaches

www.drsherryeshowalter.com