This entry is going to be short on words, but long on pictures. I have a wedding to attend in Yosemite this weekend (yay Darren & Jill!) and want to get this entry in before I leave.

Last Saturday night (April 13, 2002), I had a happy-yippy-cool party. And while I didn't tell anyone that the party was to launch and celebrate my new post-cancer life, people knew anyway. I was really amazed how many people understood what was going on in my heart, even if it wasn't in the invitation. I guess people are really starting to know me (remember, I did talk about my bowel issues during my first few journal entries).

The day before the party, however, I realized that I needed a haircut. Can you believe it?! Enough hair had grown back that I had to actually cut it! Ok, ok, not much was cut, and my hair is still very short, but I should be back to "normal" (I've found that there is no normal) in a few more months. My friend, and hair stylist, Tobey did the chopping.

On the afternoon of the party, I was given a surprise picnic lunch by my great friends Pete and Kelly Travers. Many of my favorite people showed up and we toasted life by releasing butterflies into the sky. Very beautiful and very touching. By the end of lunch, I was ready to party.

Below are a bunch of pictures from the party. While I was prepared to put on dance music, play games, etc., everyone seemed so content just talking with each other, there was no need for distractions. That made me really happy.

About 50 people showed up. The group represented my life in Santa Barbara, from my first friends to my most recent. I had flowers and fake tattoos for each party-goer. My tattoos stayed on for days. I'm just now removing them. I had a disco ball with "100% California Cheese" on a sign above it (disco balls are pretty cheesey). I also made a big batch of sangria, enough to satisfy everyone. Of course, with everyone drinking sangria, I was left with about 20 bottles of wine (I started with 20 -- you do the math).

About mid-way through the party, I made a toast to the crowd, telling them how wonderful my brother Brad is and how much I love them. The last of the partiers went home a little after 3am.

It was a huge love-fest. I've never been told by so many people that they love me. And I did feel so loved by this group. I'm still on a high from it.

Enjoy the pictures.

                  

      
I was given this amazing gift. My friends Kathy and Jim gave me a remote controlled roller blader, complete with walker!
They made the walker just for this gift. So funny.

I forgot to show everyone the belly light I had inserted before the party began. A few "lucky" people got to see it flashing in my mid-section.

I'm ready for more parties. Woo hoo!

m