Life's Surprises

I had planned to write today about What I Am Reading.  However, I had such a surprising afternoon yesterday, I thought I would share about that instead.  I will definitely be sharing about my reading next week.

Legacy Pointe at UCF (more about that later) sponsors an Inspired Speaker Series.  Yesterday's guest was Joan Lunden.  Joan, along with David Hartman and Charlie Gibson, hosted Good Morning America for 17 years.  She was always positive and upbeat.  I remember watching as she had her three children through the years.  Joan interviewed four presidents, covered five Olympic Games, and two royal weddings.  She was also known for taking risks, such as bungee jumping!  Joan is actually a mother of seven children!  Yes, seven!  She had two sets of twins during her current marriage. They are now 13 and 15 years-old.  Joan joked that she is still going to parent conferences.  But, she says, it has kept her young!  Joan is also a breast cancer survivor.  She was diagnosed with an aggressive type of breast cancer in 2014.  After many rounds of chemotherapy and radiation, she is cancer-free.  Joan attributes her survival to leading a healthy lifestyle prior to her diagnosis.  All of us in the audience also felt that her positive attitude on life had to play a part in her battle, too.

Yesterday her focus was on motivation, inspiration, and change. Joan is so inspiring when speaking of the hurdles that she has tackled with life's ups and downs.  No matter what, she has always taken a positive spin on everything.  She engaged the audience, much of whom were retirement age, with stories from her days on GMA, how she and all of her former colleagues get together every year (this year's date is in December), and her commitment to health and wellness.  Being newly retired, it was refreshing to hear how she has managed change in her life.  Joan was so approachable and took many questions at the end of her speech.

Now for the best part!  I got to meet Joan Lunden!  She had her book Wake-up Calls for sale at the end of her engagement.  I didn't even know this was going to take place.  So, I got in line and purchased two books; one for me and one for my sister who signed me up for this event.  And then this happened!

Meeting Joan Lunden!

I read this book years ago!  Happy to re-read it!

Joan is so special and approachable!

I think that sometimes in life, the best things happen when you least expect it!  This was one of those moments.  Joan also posted on her Instagram last night that she enjoyed her event for Legacy Point at UCF because many in the crowd were long-time GMA fans!

So what is Legacy Point at UCF?  It is a new luxury life-care retirement community that is affiliated with the University of Central Florida.  It will have independent-living apartments and villas, an assisted living facility and a nursing home to provide whatever needs you have.  It will open in mid-2020.  Because of its affiliation with UCF, the community will offer hospitality inspired by UCF's Rosen College and lifelong learning and entertainment including the ability to audit classes, see live performances through UCF's College of Arts and Science, and attend discounted sporting events.  There will also be fitness programs through UCF's College of Education and Human Performance, as well as health and lifecare to help with changing health needs.

Of course being newly retired, I'm not ready to make those decisions yet, but it is nice to know that there will be future options available near the UCF campus.  By the way, they do take pets!!  But for right now, Milo enjoys his backyard!!

Milo and his sticks!!