1. The boy started school! (Really, it's daycare.) Do you hear Angels singing? I do. He and I both did fine with the first day and also the second. We'll see how it goes moving forward, but I have high hopes. :)
2. I got my application in for a study program that I'd REALLY like to get into. #WishMeLuck
3. With Nile Rodgers & Chic, Russell performed at the We Are Family Foundation Gala with Roger Daltrey and LL Cool J! #GoRuss #GoChic #GoWAFF
Friday was the We Are Family Foundation's 2016 Celebration Gala at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City... I just want to take you all there with me...
Russell and Tanya
Moses, Coyote, Tanya
Coyote, Nile Rodgers, Moses
Tanya and Paul
Moses, Coyote, Tanya, Larry
Danielle, Russell, Tanya, Barry
"The We Are Family Foundation (WAFF) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the vision of a global family by creating and supporting programs that inspire and educate the next generation about respect, understanding and cultural diversity - while striving to solve some of our biggest global problems at the same time." - WAFF
The work they do throughout the year is absolutely amazing, especially their support of brilliant and talented teens! Please take a moment and click around their website. You will be inspired.
"We're building global coalitions, producing international summits,
creating worldwide curricula and building schools
in countries with the highest illiteracy rates."
- WAFF
At this year's gala, WAFF honored President Jimmy Carter (Mattie J.T. Stepanek Peacemaker Honoree), Adobe Project 1324 (Visionary Honoree), and Bono (Humanitarian Honoree).
The Edge couldn't make it, but Russ was there! #GORUSS
It was an amazing and incredibly inspirational evening! The event brought together a most beautiful family of people working to make the world a better place. I am in awe of all the love in that room that night. People like Nile Rodgers, President Jimmy Carter, Bono, all the teen leaders (from around the world) and their mentors brought together by the foundation, and hundreds in attendance who appreciate and work toward the highest good of our collective human family... It was an absolutely JOYOUS occasion.
Thank you Nile Rodgers for your tireless efforts to inspire and encourage the global family to which we all belong. Thank you.
Russ and I met on stage at the World Trade Center, on the 107th floor of the North Tower. It was during a gig with a band he had played with for years, and I first came in that night as a guest vocalist.
Last night (Sunday), Russ was on stage in London playing with Nile Rodgers and Chic. He received a text message from New Jersey that included a picture of himself, there on stage in London, and the words "We see you."
Russ on stage with Nile Rodgers & Chic at the British Summer Time festival in Hyde Park
It was from the bandleader and entertainment company with whom he had worked for over a decade - the same band that first brought us together on stage years ago.
Someone who books that band in the UK and Europe was in the crowd at the London show, recognized Russ, and sent a picture to the bandleader in Jersey, who then forwarded it to Russ on stage in London. (Cool!)
Every week, I am pleased and honored to see that there are blog views from all over the world! I welcome all of the worldwide viewership and am so glad to be a part of this era in which we are more and more connected globally!
Early last week, after paying all of my bills, the stitch that I had been feeling in my side all that morning miraculously disappeared. I thought this blog might be about procrastinating and the amazing things that happen when we stop doing it.
Thursday was the "We Are Family Foundation" gala in NYC. The foundation is doing absolutely incredible things to promote our global family! It was an honor to be there among such an amazing group of true world leaders - that's what I call this pool of Angels who work tirelessly to make positive changes in the world. This year's honorees included: Caryl M. Stern, President & CEO, U.S. Fund for UNICEF; Bill McDermott, CEO, SAP; and Chaka Khan, Grammy Award Winning Music Icon.
Kim, Nile Rodgers, Jerry, Russ performing "Get Lucky"
Graham-Fam: Russ, Mom and Dad Graham, me
On Sunday, my phone's navigator was interrupted when - for no apparent reason - it started playing "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" all by itself and repeated the song THREE times! Finally, I turned it off saying, "OKAY! OKAY! I get it!"
Doreen Virtue's calendar page for last Tuesday
Today (Monday as I write this), I see that CNN has set up a page titled "How to help victims of the Nepal earthquake" and I hear Loretta Lynch (the first female African-American US Attorney General, sworn into office today) saying, "We can do anything."
We have much work to do. If we all stop procrastinating, we can accomplish amazing things together. We will all feel lifted and there is NOTHING we can't do.
I will carry these thoughts with me as I journey through the week to come. #KeepGoing
