Gisela Nachtsheim, my mother and my inspiration.
Today marks the beginning of another chapter in my life and it is one I never would have imagined. But isn’t that one of the great aspects of living - embarking on adventures you hadn’t anticipated?
Today I publish my first-ever post to my new site and blog.
As I was preparing this piece, I was determined to offer you a believable and authentic reason to spend a few moments sharing your time with me. What could I share with you that will engage your curiosity and deliver some thoughts that might be relevant to your life?
How and why could we benefit from this new beginning?
“All achievements, all earned riches, have their beginning in an idea.” - Napoleon Hill
Throughout my life I’ve been a curious person. Some of my earliest memories revolve around my Mom, Gisela Nachtsheim. And, although she passed away 18 years ago she remains a constant presence in my life.
My mother was my inspiration. She taught me the value of honesty, caring and how to love life. Mama was my hero, who showed me her strength in the weakest moments. She was a free spirit who loved a vanilla ice cream cone. She wore her blonde hair in a bun with a red bow and bright lipstick as her trademark.
As a teenager in Germany she rode her Vespa in sexy short shorts, low cut V neck top. There was nothing shy about how she presented herself and while she had the appearance of a movie star her inner strength and her heart were her best features. She was a warm-hearted loving soul.
Her passing heightened my awareness that we must live each day to the fullest - tell the people we love that we love them, don’t hang on to regrets and embrace the joy that comes from beginning each day as if it were your first and last.
From her I gained the confidence and self-belief to launch my life in directions that in some ways seemed foretold and in others that came as a complete surprise.
Another beginning - My first makeup table, Christmas, 1966
My mother set me on a course to explore life to its fullest and to keep a sense of wonder at the forefront of my mind. That’s also at the heart of my reason for creating this blog and what will be my focus - to encourage each of us to be constantly aware of the wonders that surround us.
This will be a journey where we embrace humans united by their individualism and their own beauty. People who raise their hands. People who declare through their actions that it's OK to stray from the path. People who acknowledge that beauty is difference.
That's where I live.
These are my people.
From them, I derive my power and belief that I can and will influence change for good.
I am so delighted that you’re coming along with me.
“To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.” - Oscar Wilde
Love and gratitude
Xo
Vita