Today is November 12, 2008.  My father died last Thanksgiving - November 22, 2007.  It struck me today that this time last year, my dad had only 10 days left to live.  What would I have done if I had known that?  I certainly would have been with him every second he could have put up with me hanging around him.  And I would have asked questions like:  What is your biggest regret in life?  Looking back, what would you change about  your marriage, your child-rearing, your career, your life?  I would have asked him to tell me (again) about his childhood, his high school and college years, how he asked my mom to marry him, what he remembers from their wedding day (62 years ago), what was his favorite memory of each of his children, if he was scared to die, if he could send me a message from "beyond" and if he would please save me a seat at the party.  I've known so many people who had so many regrets when someone they loved passed away.  I'm so proud of the person that my dad was and in particular, how very many people's lives he touched and helped throughout his long and productive life (81 years).  I have no regrets.  I told him everyday that I loved him.  He knew how much he was valued.  I made sure that my children expressed their love and appreciation of him.  This world was a better place because he was in it - and I made sure that he knew that I believed that.  It's probably because of that that I am okay with my dad's passing.  Of course I've cried - and still do occassionally - but we all have to go and he went after having done everything that he was sent to do - and then some.  He had a good, full and happy life that benefitted others.  That's the true measure of success, don't you think?  The question is: how do we convey that to our girls?  How do we make them aware of their unique talents and abilities, their gifts and their blessings?  Because once they understand their inner strength and gain self-confidence - look out world!  What a wonderful world this would be if all of our girls celebrated their differences and their special gifts instead of trying to "fit in" or be just like everyone else.  Here at Healthy Girls, we do celebrate these things and we help our girls understand just how great they really are.  We show them the possibilities for thier lives - and we help them to believe in themselves.  This is my way of touching people's lives and bettering the world in which I live.  I hope you'll join me in this quest.  And I hope my Dad's proud.