Hi and Welcome!

     Let me first introduce myself. My name is Lori Kitaygorodsky. I am a wife and mom and a true believer in the idea that EVERYTHING happens for a reason.  In fact, I am quite certain that the decisions made in my life and roads taken (or not) until now have led me to this very moment.

     Unbeknownst to me, it seems as if the universe has had a plan for me to follow since I was born.  What if this is true for each and every one of us?  If you take a second to look back, what if your own journey can be seen as a lifetime of moments, one purposefully and meaningfully leading into the next? I’m sure it didn’t feel that way at the time, but hindsight can provide the clearest perspective.

     For all intents and purposes, I’m really not sure how I survived, let alone seemingly thrived and made a life for myself in the long run, despite being WITH my mother in the car accident that took her life when I was 14 years old. Yes, it’s a lot to take in, and, even as I write this now, it’s a bit like The Twilight Zone for me to recall and recount.

     The full story and details are for another time, but I can say the following...MEMENTO MORI has been my guiding principle in life and it has never steered me wrong. Mind you, I had no idea that this “way” in which I saw my life had a name. No, I only knew that help from friends who were like family and the lessons my mother was able to impart to me in those 14 years created my drive to live a life of PASSION, PURPOSE, and PRESENCE. It is this guiding principle that I would like to share with you. If it can help one individual see his or her life more clearly, in the moment, then this sharing of my own has been worth it.

     MEMENTO MORI originated from an ancient Roman tradition. After a major military victory, the triumphant generals were paraded through the streets to the roars of the masses. This ceremonial procession could span the course of the day, and there was no more coveted honor. The general was idolized, viewed as divine by his troops and the public alike. All the while, however, a slave would accompany the general, whose sole responsibility was to remind the general of one thing…”Memento Mori - Look behind. Remember thou art mortal, Remember you must die.” The slave’s presence served as a reminder of the general’s mortality (hence the skull as leading symbol of MM).

     In all moments of success and failure, love and loss...there exists the possibility of passion, purpose and presence. In all moments there exists the possibility to make it all count.  I try as often as possible to use MEMENTO MORI to invigorate my life, and to create priority and meaning. I try to treat each day (some are easier than others) as a gift and constantly remind myself to remain present in the HERE and NOW. This is the essence of MEMENTO MORI.

     Please join me on this journey of life’s affirmation and hope