Happy Anniversary to attribute magazine! Yes indeedy, we are wrapping up our second year...and up until a couple weeks before July I forgot it was approaching...

Yes, life has been hectic. Travel, writing, work, writing, travel, work, writing...see a pattern?

In fact as I wrote this I was sitting at San Francisco International Airport. I had just wrapped up nearly two weeks in the area...and my red-eye flight back to the Florida heat was delayed (getting us out of there at nearly 1:00AM).

I lived in the SF Bay area when I first started attribute and had the privilege of being invited to stay with one of our original team members, entertainment writer Tamara Chandler, with whom I became quick friends. She asked me to come out and help with her little angle of a baby boy while she is recovering from foot surgery. I couldn’t fathom declining her request. Getting to know this beautiful child and having quality time with his amazingly loving mother, has filled my heart to the brim.

It was so awesome to watch this child discover something new, every day. He is so curious and happy. I observed him very closely...and came to the conclusion that he is pretty advanced for a nearly 8-month-old and is going to be super smart and multi-talented. Of course, Auntie Stacey might be a little biased...

One of the things I witnessed during my stay, in unspeakable lengths, was a mother’s love: A mother who loves her child (her first at that) so much and is so grateful for the opportunity to be a mother to this precious child, you just know he will never be deprived of love and never be in need. A mother who feels this child is the best thing that has ever happened to her.

You see, she was told she may never conceive and believes this baby is a gift, her own little miracle. Not only is she Rhett’s mom, she is also a fabulous “second mom” to his two older half-sisters.

Baring witness to something like this, something that transpires and changes lives and in return it affects your own; opens your heart a little, teaches you to love a little deeper and makes you a truly lucky person, is amazing.

I definitely feel privileged to have had the opportunity to be here, to lend a hand to mother, child and the family as a whole (I had the opportunity to also get to know his awesome sisters). It’s an experience with memories to take away with me; memories that I can share with them for years to come, and cherish always.

I also feel privileged to have such remarkable friends...I should, as I choose them wisely and carefully. I try to surround myself with quality individuals who possess beautiful hearts, with whom I can relate to and have fun with. And we do...we laugh and we love one another.

We are siblings in this life regardless of blood relation.

Feeling this good about the people in my life, makes doing something like flying across the country for two weeks, to help out when they are in need, a no-brainer. It’s my way of giving back for all the joy, love, support and kindness and trust they show me. In a sense I guess you could say it’s my bestowal to them of time, gratitude and love.

I never feel it’s enough and wish I could do more, but at least in this situation, it was what Tamara really needed...just my being there to carry the baby around the house, give him love and care, drive the family to and fro, cook some meals and just be there for support: moral, emotional and physical. We also had a lot of good old-fashioned fun and more quality time together than ever before.

It was as good for my soul as it was for hers.

I can’t wait until she has the second foot operation so I can go back out and do it all over again. That's baby Rhett to your right...seriously, who could possibly resist loving on that cutie pie?!

We have installed a donation option (see the front page--still working out the positioning or our DONATE page for info). If you are so inclined, we would appreciate your consideration and show of support. No donation is too small. In return, attribute will continue publishing our wildly popular, quality articles.

P.S. I will be uploading two additional articles in the coming days (my own, which I haven't had time to finish due to my crazed schedule)...one on the film, La Mission and another personal essay on friendship.

Many blessings...

Stacey Louiso

Founding Editor +++