2023 and Me

It finally happened on the 56th day of 2023.  Greer Cheeseman was awarded his varsity letter from Penn Athletics.  It was a recognition to honor Greer's 50 years with the Penn Band on 2/25/2023.  To student, to student leader, to Asst. Director, to, for the last 28 years, the DIRECTOR.  He's always been the Magic Man and the Music Man and this is why I am thinking about Greer Cheeseman and Me.  My 37 years in the Band have been enhanced by the presence, leadership, mentorship, humor, and friendship of R. Greer Cheeseman III.  CONGRATS, GREER!  

For over a decade (actually almost a decade and a half), I have been present at OMAYSC Gym Nights.  And, on the 55th day of 2023 we had another one!  So the 2/24/2023 "and me" is Gym Nights and Me.  People ask me why, with my kids out of school and OMAYSC, that I still am the President of OMAYSC and help run these Gym Nights.  As my friends say, "it's for the children!"  Honestly, the kids need these places to hang out, in a safe place, and I would never want us to lose the grant money, so I remain dedicated to OMAYSC and its mission and, with that, comes Gym Nights!

The 54th day of 2023 found me in the Training Room (P-106 FB), with my colleagues.  Yes, In-Person Training and Me is a very good thing.  I am having a good work week, and the 4 hours of in-person training this week has a LOT to do about this!  So, as I head off to be on 2/23/2023, I am glad that in-person is making a return.  I an not as efficient nor productive on campus, but I am far, far happier.  WFH has it's place (and I will be working from home on Friday!), but I look forward to more in-person training.  I cannot help but laugh when I think about the Faculty member, when I was an undergrad, who told me I was such a bad student, I could never be a teacher.  So, I guess, I will focus on training!  HA!  

The 53rd day of 2023 was the end of the season for my announcing at the Colls HS Basketball games.  So I am thinking a lot about Colls HS Basketball and Me.  I really enjoy this activity and love to get all the names together and watch the games.  Some of these players tonight I have been working the clock at their games since the 3rd grade - TEN YEARS AGO!  Hoping they ask me back next year.  ROLL COLLS! 

The 52nd day of 2023 is Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras, Donut Day!  So, on 2/21/2023, I am thinking about Fat Tuesday and Me.  I have never been to New Orleans for Mardi Gras and, frankly, I am not sure I ever will.  But I love all of the traditions and, even though I could not eat any donuts today (gotta watch that sugar), I thought about the powdered sugar and pastry.  I probably gained pounds from the thoughts!  Because fat is something I identify with, sadly.  But, less these days than before, but still have a long way to go.  

2/20/2023 begins my dad's 80th trip around the sun.  And I was glad to have been able to see him up through yesterday (even if it was for a sad occasion) and it was good to see him in his new Phillies shirt on the 51st day of 2023.  Because My Dad and Me is the obvious 23 and me for today.  I feel so blessed to have David Sherr as my dad, all that I am is because of him and my mom.  Love, Laughter, and a Life well lived!  

  In the past six months or so, I have really neglected self-care.  Between work and all of the other changes in my life, I have neglected swimming and sleep and and and.  But, partially because of the loss of my uncle and also just some better self-realization, I am trying to change for the better.  So the theme for the 50th day of 2023 is Royal Fitness and Me.  I am really impressed with this family owned business.  They run a good gym, their staff are really nice, they maintain their facilities well (I love their pool), and they have innovated during the pandemic to thrive and not just survive.  I am thankful for their thriving and that I was able to return to the pool on 2/19/2023 and get a nice workout in.  Now I just need to wrap up my work at a decent hour and tackle the coming week with a good frame of mind.  Hope you all had a restful weekend as well!

People who know me know that I do joy a LOT better than I do grief.   But on the 48th day of 2023, I had to face grief.  And, on 2/17/2023, we did grief together as the family and friends of Ron Sherr.  And, you know, grief together is better than grief alone and, I guess, this is why funerals are important events.  Funerals and Me, not always a good pair, but I think I did well today.  I was able to get up and tell a few stories, I loved seeing my family, many of whom I rarely see, and, more importantly, we celebrated Ron's life.  We laughed, we cried, we prayed, we probably even sang a bit, inside and out.  Because, as I said today, Ron was Music and Art and Music and Art is what we all need.  And it was the communal funeral event that brought that to light to all of us.  So, I guess, funerals are OK after all.  But, as I also said, I'd like more weddings and fewer funerals :).

Given our family's loss earlier that afternoon, I took the Eagles' loss that evening in stride.  And, on the 44th day of 2023, I am talking a breath and thinking about The Superbowl and Me.  Because on 2/13/2023, I am thinking about last night and how great it was to be with friends, watching a game (it's JUST a GAME!), arguing over calls, yelling at the refs, yelling at the players, laughing at the commercials (and the bad jokes we tell), enjoying food, friendship, family, and football, and the music of Rihanna.  That is what the Superbowl is about to me, the game was just a game, the friends and family are where it's at.  And that is why I feel I was blessed last night.  Yeah, I would have liked the Eagles to win, but I am more glad we were able to be together.  There's always another year.  Can't wait for next year's party! 

  I knew that the 43rd day of 2023 would be the day I broke my streak of non-posts. Sorry for the busyness of life (mainly work) that is taking my time and sapping my inspiration for posts. But, on 2/12/2023, I knew I was going to post. I THOUGHT it would be about the Superbowl and the Eagles but, today's 23 and me is not about that (and not because they lost). No, the Family Sherr experienced a larger and more significant loss today, and that is why my post is about Uncle Ron and Me. Yes, friends, that means that DJ Rockin' Ron Sherr passed on from this life today. He fought his sicknesses for a long, long time and he lived a long, full of music and joy, life up until the end. My favorite Ron memory is when people told me they loved that my brother was such a good DJ for the Middle School dances. Yep - my in-his-70s uncle could pass as a guy in his 40s. Because Ron's joy and love of music and photography and making people happy (and dancing) truly kept him young ...