L-R: Rachel, Julie, Ruth, Laura, Erin ... a great ending to a luxurious spa day; all part of Ruth's 50th birthday festivities!

Happy June!

I am celebrating my 50th  birthday this month, and have already enjoyed the gift of an early present: all four of my sisters gathered in Nashville last week to spend three festive days with me. I had so much fun taking them to the places I love and doing the things I am most fond of doing in this town that has been my home for more than 20 years.

This Saturday, June 16th, I am looking forward to leading a women's retreat at the Westhaven Residents' Club, and to a wonderful night of music at Davis Kidd on the 22nd. We're also very excited about our newest internet presence on Myspace.com. Please check it out at www.myspace.com/ruthmcginnis. I'll keep a regular blog there and you'll always be able to see the Trio's concert dates and speaking engagements!

I am catching up on yard work, but my kitchen floor, though improving, is still not done. Life continues to unfold with the things we plan and the things we don't, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Hope your June unfolds with unexpected delights.

The Music Of Life is available online at www.ruthmcginnis.com www.cdbaby.com www.amazon.com or pick it up at these local retailers:   Davis Kidd Booksellers at the Green Hills Mall   Borders Bookstores All Nashville area locations: West End, Brentwood and Coolsprings    St. Mary's Bookstore on West End Avenue   Belle Meade Drugstore White Bridge Road, across from Target   Logos Bookstore in Green Hills   The Shoppe for Simple Pleasures 810 NW Broad St. in Murfreesboro   Tennessee Memories Bandywood Plaza   The Produce Place on Murphy Road

"Celebrating the Imperfect Life" Presentation

Westhaven Residents' Club 

Saturday, June16th

10:00am - 4:00pm

**See Below for more details

Do you love your life?

How long has it been since you

woke up in the morning,

excited to live the day in front of you?

Imagine how good you would feel

in every area,

if you were joyfully connected

with your authentic life.

Join Ruth McGinnis as she leads

  "Celebrating the Imperfect Life"

for the Westhaven Women's Retreat 

Saturday, June 16th 

10:00am - 4:00pm

at the Westhaven Community Residents' Club

Cost: $100 (includes lunch)

Contact: Stephanie Dematos at 615-791-6740

Open to women of all ages!

There are a few spaces still available...
Call for late registration information 

The beautifully pedicured feet of "The McGinnis Girls" ... can you guess which toes are Ruth's??

The Music Of Life:
Journal Entries of a Cancer Survivor

I am the eldest of five sisters, part of a very exclusive club. As we made the rounds in Nashville this week, hiking at Radnor Lake, lunching at Davis Kidd and spending a day at the Blue River Canyon Day Spa, we heard this comment more than once:

"Wow, five girls growing up together ...

that must have been fun."

Yes, a house full of girls certainly had its moments. However, the relationships I've enjoyed with my sisters as an adult have been the best moments of all. My cancer diagnosis last year cemented an already unbreakable bond between us, as each one of us had to consider the sobering fact that there will not always be five of us here. Time and life will take a toll on our family, just as it does with every family.

I write this with the full intention of living to be an eccentric old woman. But when my sisters wanted to do something special for my 50th, it didn't take long for me to realize that what I wanted most of all was to have them all together for a few days.

I find in my survivorship, that accumulating experiences is much more important to me than having more "things." So, thanks to their generosity of spirit, and willingness to leave their own very full, complicated lives for a three day visit in Nashville, I now have a wealth of memories that will bring a smile to my face for a very long time.

I couldn't have received a more perfect gift.