"Somewhere Over the Rainbow..."

"Is there such a place Toto? There must be. It's far, far away. Behind the moon, beyond the rain..." What a classic movie line to deliver into one of the most iconic songs ever written. In my opinion, what made it iconic was Judy Garland. It blows my mind that she was only 16 when she portrayed the infamous role of Dorothy Gale. If you have ever been to my house....or you know my mother....we are big fans of The Wizard of Oz and Judy Garland herself. You walk into our living room and immediately walk into the classic movie room. Along with our Gone With The Wind and Marilyn Monroe posters, Wizard of Oz has it's own side of the house with famous movie posters and a pair of ruby slippers. Unfortunately not the real ones, as much as we wanted to purchase the shoes when they were for sale, we were short 4 million dollars, but I digress. The point is that movie is a favorite in our household and has been for as long as I can remember. The fact that for more than one Halloween I was a character from the movie. I was dressed as the Cowardly Lion when I was just a baby....not going to lie, that was pretty cute...and then I was Dorothy one year and the shoes I wore that night are the shoes that hang upon the wall today and wherever we've moved to they still make an appearance upon the wall. I had a conversation with my mother the other day about Judy and her portrayal of Dorothy and how basically no matter how many people play that role in the world, no one can touch Judy Garland. Of course they can do an amazing job at playing the role in their own way, but at the end of the day Judy will always be the original Dorothy and what every single person compares that actress to which is kind of a lot of pressure. My family especially are not usually people to be seen at any performance of The Wizard of Oz purely because we know that movie so well to the point of memorization, that all we can think is "it's not the same as the movie." Yes I know the stage version has many other different parts that make it not exactly like the movie, but still we can't help but think that. Every year, it never fails, the one gift we always give mom is the new Wizard of Oz calendar that comes out every year. While it's not a surprise any more, it's still a present that makes the whole house happy because we adore that classic film so much because of all the wonderful characters, but especially Judy Garland. One of my other favorite films she's in is Easter Parade with Fred Astaire. That movie makes me so happy every time I watch it. It's a tradition at my house that the last thing we do on Easter is sit down and watch that movie. Judy is so funny in this movie I laugh every time, even though I know most of the movie by memory at this point. She is so spunky and so charismatic, her smile lights up a room and her voice soars over the audience no matter the key it's in. She is a true legend and an actress that I have always admired from the time I was little to this day. It would have been her 92nd birthday today and it makes me so incredibly sad that she left this earth way before she should have. What I would give to meet her and just hear all of her stories of the movies and shows she's been in. Her career is one that I wish I can just have a taste of because while yes she had some troubles behind the scenes, but the roles she brought to life that everyone knows and loves. No matter what role she played, everyone loved it. That's all you could do is fall in love with Judy. I end this post with a heart felt Happy Birthday to a woman who showed me that I can fly over the rainbow and do what I strive to achieve in my life. Sure I may be knocked down, but just get back up and keep doing what you love. Thank you Judy Garland for bringing such happiness to myself and my family, we honestly adore you. Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high there's a land that I heard of once in a lullaby. Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue and the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to check out Turner Classic Movies and see which Garland film they're showing and don't worry I'll keep you posted! 

"We Go Together....like a Wink and a Smile"

Today is a beautiful day. Not just because it's the weekend, but because it is my best friend's 18th birthday! Yep you read it correctly, 18! Oh and to fill you folks in on the secret of who my best friend is, it's my sister. Wow, how time flies. You're an adult now...although, you've kind of always been one. As far back as I can remember, even when we were little, I always looked up to you in a way. You always had a way at looking at the world with compassion and wisdom, and still do. I don't know how many times we watch a crime show and you end up feeling compassion for the crazy serial killer! I know, she's crazy right? No. In fact, we all should take a lesson from her. Showing compassion and unconditional love to people is very hard, especially when they have done nothing to deserve it...but then again, what do we do to deserve unconditional love? I will be the first one to admit that I screw up....a lot. I know, you all are shocked but it's true. There are times where I just wish I could go back and take back everything. There have been times where I didn't think I had friend within a thousand miles. Then I would realize all I had to do was look to the person next to me and find my sister. She was and always has been there for me, even when I mess up. If anything, she helps me fix it. Sometimes I think "Okay I'm the oldest, shouldn't I be the one to give advice?", but she just knows exactly what to say to put everything in perspective for me. She knows how to make me laugh until a drink, any drink, just flies out my nose when just five minutes ago I had tears just pouring down my face. She knows how to set me straight when I feel I have lost my way. She finds me when I am completely lost. This past semester was challenging and there were so many days where all I did was wish my sister, my best friend, was sitting right next to me making me laugh and forget my troubles just for a little bit. That's the downside of college is that I am way too far away from her.

I don't write this to make people cry or be depressed all day. I write this because I want my family, my friends and the whole world to know how much my sister means to me. How much her existence is what keeps me going every day. How badly I just wish I could be her some days and how much I need her in my life. She is my everything. Some may be reading this thinking our relationship may be unhealthy, that I may be too close to my sister, but I strongly disagree. We have been best friends since the day she was born and I wanted to wear my fancy shoes for her arrival 18 years ago. I don't remember many things from age 5 and under, but the one thing I do remember is, when I was 3, holding my sister after she was born. I remember how beautiful it was holding her and how special she was to me and I had just met her. There was something there that I knew she and I were meant to be best friends. She was my sister and I loved her unconditionally from the first time we met.

So, today on your birthday, it kills me that I am not there for you physically, but I am always with you. I wish you a day full of love, happiness and everything you wish to come true. If anyone deserves to receive her hearts desires, it's you. You are so important to me and I am so incredibly proud of the woman you have become. We've gone through a lot together, and there is so much more for us to go through. It has always been you and me against the world and we're still conquering! Happy Birthday thither! I love you soooooo much and I miss you more than words can possibly express! Because everyone knows, "We go together like a wink and a smile." As for the rest of our adventures together, don't worry I'll keep you posted!