A Young Lady's Reflection from the Heart

Yesterday was my 21st birthday, a major milestone I suppose, and now that I’ve done some personal reflection I have to express my gratitude to my favourite ladies who have inspired me immensely over many years and continue to do so everyday. On days when I feel unhappy and quite low about myself, they give me the strength to carry on because they’ve overcome so much and I know I can too. They are a few of the many blessings I have in my life and I owe them so much. The extent of my gratefulness knows no bounds and what they have significantly impressed upon me are things I will always take with me in life.

With all my heart, I thank you …

Audrey Hepburn for teaching me how to be lovely inside and out.
Lucille Ball for teaching me to laugh and how to make others laugh.
Betty White for teaching me that one can be amazing at any age.
Eva Gabor for teaching me how to exude glamour and class at all times.
Julie Andrews for teaching me that one voice can change many lives.
Maggie Smith for teaching me to embrace my wit and intelligence.
Judith Light for teaching me to open my heart and mind.
Catherine Tate for teaching me to work hard and have fun.
Joanne Froggatt for teaching me to keep dreaming.
Lady Gaga for teaching me to be brave and to express myself.

And to each one, thank you for teaching me that in truly being kind to others, beauty comes from within.

Happy 100th Birthday Lucy ♥

I’m happy that I have brought laughter because I have been shown by many the value of it in so many lives, in so many ways. | Lucille Ball

Today, the 6th of August 2011, everyone's favourite funny girl turned 100! Lucille Ball, Queen of Comedy, captured the hearts of millions of people around the world through none other than her highly-acclaimed television show I Love Lucy and the various series that followed. Premiering in 1951, the show has never been off the air, a testament to Lucy's great influence in the entertainment industry and in the lives of so many people.

Mere words can hardly express how very much loved and admired this remarkable woman was and still is. She, along with her husband Desi Arnaz, was a true pioneer in the history of television, setting the solid foundations from which we now have the increasingly-powerful medium that television has become. We owe so much to Lucy and it is only fitting that she is celebrated with so much enthusiasm today and forevermore.

On a personal note, I Love Lucy has been my favourite television show of all time for many years and it will forever remain so. So many people say this but it's the honest truth: "I Love Lucy" was never just a title. Actor, comedian and a good friend of Lucy's, Bob Hope put it best, "One of the greatest gifts to mankind is laughter and one of the greatest gifts to laughter is Lucille Ball. God has her now but thanks to television, we'll have her forever."

Happy 100th Birthday Lucy! Thank you for the hours and hours of laughter and fun, the joy and happiness you brought to millions of people over the decades. Thank you for teaching us to laugh at life and how to make others laugh too. And thank you for being the inspiration you are to so many. You truly were a blessing and a great gift to us all. Somewhere in heaven, I'm most certain that you keep all the angels laughing!