And she exhales as the gentle breeze tickles the leaves,winding its way through every blade of grass and she sings a lullaby as insects serenade the stars. 5 months, 3 weeks, and 6 days ago her doctor told her she had 6 months to live. She didn't feel the urge to climb the Alps or explore the depths of the darkest caverns or even to go running with the bulls in Spain. In fact she didn't even cry. She felt at peace, knowing well, that all good stories come to an end. She did not fear her death, she embraced it, because knowing what was going to befall her she was finally able to truly live. And she did. She would wake before the sun, sit on her porch with her morning coffee and watch the sunflowers as they rose to greet the sun and once more when they waved goodbye as the sun would retreat from the encroaching moon. She spent her days aimlessly wandering through fields of wildflowers, admiring each delicate petal for it's subtle but unmistakable beauty. Because, after all, it is an honor to be able to say that, if only for a moment, you were one with the universe, just existing, along with every other living, breathing creature on Earth. And she exhales her final breath and slipped away into eternity.

*This is not a story it is an excerpt of  "Dying With A Smile" a collection of short stories about appreciating life*

**I also understand that under normal circumstances it is not appropriate to use 'And' to begin a sentence, but considering the fact that I SUCK at grammar, I foolishly refuse to let this rule apply to me (to the grammar rock stars I salute you)**

I was browsing around Facebook and came across the group that instanly made me nostalgic for the good ole days. Days when you took a plastic cartoon lunch box to school. When you remember the craze of and subsequent banning of slap bracelets and slam books. When you're best friends were marked by matching necklaces and home-made lanyards. When "NOT" was an acceptable answer to the end of every sentence. And when it was actually worth getting up to watch Saturday morning cartoons.

When "Whoa" and "How rude" were more than a response to someone's outlandish remarks. When you were not considered a dork for knowing the rap to "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air." And, of course, we all know Kimberly and Tommy from the Power Rangers were made for each other.

Life is not so easy now. We must deal with bills, drama, and an economy that we as Americans are blamed as just our responsibility. Our biggest problems no longer include the newest Beanie Babies being sold out or nightmares form Goosebumps. We now have days when we must choose between groceries and gas. Rent or utilities.

I want the days when Slinkies and Razor Scooters were the shit. When light up sneakers were cool and Hide-n-Go Seek at dusk didn't involve worrying about which of your neighbors was a registered sex-offender.

Back before the Myspace and YouTube craze, before Blackberrys and I-pods, before the Wii and X-Box Live, Life was easy. Life was fun. When the only time we cried was because of scraped knees and when Mufasa died. Back When Captain Planet and Mutant Ninja Turtles saved the world, and every little girl was Barbie.  

Our decisions were made by "eenie-meenie-miney-mo" and our money problems were solved by the banker in 'Monopoly.' I long for the time when a chance to skate as a couple at SkateWorld was like winning the lottery back before we all knew this would disapper. At least I can still curl up in my bean bag with Nancy Drew and Chiclets and bring those days back, chapter by chapter.