As you may know, my husband and son are adventurous sorts; daredevils whom I send off with kisses and I love you’s every time they leave the house, just in case.

Don’t get me wrong. I love challenges. I give 100% at everything I do. I love doing things well. I just don’t put my life in danger (except perhaps when doing 75 mph in a 55 mph speed zone). I am the type to both create and seek that which is safe and secure, warm and comfortable. I crave peace, within and without and work hard to achieve it. Of course, sometimes it is only possible by breathing. Deeply.

I smile a lot. No, I am not always happy, but I see no reason to impose my woes on the world. Plus, I feel better when I smile, if only because often, people will smile back, and sometimes will thank me for smiling because so few people do. Adults, that is. Most children and babies are wonderful mood changers. It’s a sad day when I can’t make a baby smile. I have found smiling makes others more comfortable (or wary wondering why the heck I am smiling when there is nothing to smile about, don’t you know the world is going to hell in a handbasket?) and in the face of a smile, they are more likely to not immediately step back in fear or disgust - not for anything I've done, simply based on something I cannot change.

I love sunrises and sunsets, trekking through the woods, staring at puffy clouds in a blue sky or stars on a clear night. I start listening to music first thing in the morning and it colors my day till I get ready for bed. I may start the day with Blake Shelton and end with Rachmaninoff – all depends on the mood.

Nothing makes me happier than when my loved ones are happy doing what they love.

A good day is when I help someone, whether by a hug, a deed or with words of encouragement.

It gladdens my heart that people who know me, yet not each other, coincide in calling me Sunshine.

My goal is to keep that fire burning for those in my orbit…

I live in a magical place full of sunshine

My daily companions through this life are two beautiful dogs

I am a third generation Southern Californian on my mother’s side

Creatively I express myself through digital art, photographs, poems and short stories

I am religious

I believe in individuality

A smile can make someone’s day

A kind word is offered when the occasion arises

I was blessed with Godly patently

Blessed with my career paths

Until I wasn’t

I am very loyal