Kathryn Edwards: We Were Treated Like Royalty

Hello Everyone,

I hope this time of year finds everyone well...I love spring as everything turns green and begins to bloom again.

Last week you saw a few of us ladies (Yolanda, Kyle, Erika and I) head to New York to attend Yolanda's Global Lyme Alliance gala. Well tonight you got to see the event and hear some of the honorees speak of their battle with Lyme.
I was so appreciative to be invited and attend this event for a few reasons--namely, to support Yolanda in her battle against this very debilitating disease while trying to bring awareness to it and help others.

Listening to the other honorees talk about their experiences and hearing similar words from all of them had a resonating feeling. It must be incredibly frustrating to feel so ill and not have people believe you or question your integrity.
As if it's not enough to wonder when you'll ever feel normal again, but then to have your family, friends and loved ones look at you as if you are doing this to garner sympathy...that's a big accusation, one that I would never feel comfortable to make.
I have never doubted Yolanda's illness, I have been very vocal about that, whether you saw it on the show or not.
I was not bothered by her lack of makeup and the way she presented herself at any time.
When we were sitting at the table Kyle, Erika and I were talking about the comments that were made on Yolanda's appearance. Kyle said that she felt horrible about it and then there was a subtitle of me saying "that Vanderpump and Rinna did it too." This is about comments made on Yolanda's lack of makeup, not about Munchhausen's. No one thinks Yolanda has Munchausen's. This was a term that Rinna repeated, much to her regret, but let me be clear...Kyle nor Lisa VDP ever said that Yolanda has or had Munchausen's.

Kyle Richards Gets It

Before I end on this topic, I want to say that I heartily applaud Yolanda's work in bringing awareness to Lyme disease. I have several friends infected with Lyme as well as my stepdad. This illness is annually diagnosed at approximately 30,000...the actual number of people who are infected with Lyme every year is much, much higher. These people aren't being properly screened and aren't being treated. When Lyme is left untreated, it becomes very destructive and much more problematic to recover from.
Yolanda, I'm cheering for you! I see you! Continue your work and your message. I admire your courage to stay on your path and not let anyone get in the way of the work you are doing.

As the saying goes...you really can't understand someone's experience until you have walked a mile in their shoes.

So, back to Los Angeles with a quick 48-hour turnaround before we leave for Dubai!

I had a good chuckle watching a couple of the ladies pack and try to gently let the husbands know they were nervous to leave them at the helm. I have to say that even without kids, I still get a little nervous leaving Donnie alone for long. I wonder if he'll leave a burner on the stove or something else not as perilous. It may be his castle, but I'm the guard who batons down the hatches, and I too get a little nervous when I leave my post.

I'm happy to report Donnie was with some of his WWII veterans on a program back to Europe with the Greatest Generations Foundation, so I didn't have to worry about this. All's well that ends well.

This next topic might get a bit lengthy but it was very memorable so I apologize in advance if I get a little long winded.

Dubai!

First, I have to say that Delta Airlines took very good care of us. We arrived at LAX and went through Delta One check-in...it's a a seamless entrance to a long flight, and it's a treat if you ever get a chance to fly first through Los Angeles.
Once we arrived in Atlanta we were whisked away from the plane to the Delta lounge by private car...this was a first for me. Loved it!
Atlanta is a huge airport and the distance from one gate to another can be a half marathon, so this was a welcome luxury.
The flight was smooth and we landed ready for an adventure.

This was my first time to Dubai, and I was up for everything. When we finally made it to our destination and pulled in to The Atlantis, The Palm hotel I was thrilled. The sights, the sounds, the smells, the taste...everything made me feel as if I was half-way around the world, and I loved it!
Our suites were out of this world beautiful! We were treated like royalty. Everyone was assigned a concierge who was available to us 24/7, and it was nothing short of perfect.
I was happy to share a suite with Erika, because I felt like we finally got over all of the drama while we were in New York and now could finally laugh and enjoy ourselves.

Walking into Kyle and Lisa VDP's suite was like walking into something you could only ever dream about but never expect to see. A-mazing! I wish I would have worn one of the kaftans I brought but thankfully Kyle gave all of us ladies a beautiful one, and I couldn't wait to put it on and really feel in the moment.

The conversation started off so nice and light hearted but it quickly turned, and I wish it wouldn't have. It seems as though all of the re-hashing of feelings and moments is what we do best...I really hoped this wasn't the case. As I sat there listening to Lisa Rinna talk about her feelings toward Yolanda, I thought that it must be tied to her dislike for Kim and Brandi and that Rinna's distaste for those two bleeds into her views of Yolanda. I don't know...I just want to have fun...and then Rinna brings up the dinner at Erika's and asks her how she felt. Really? On our first night when everything is going so great? Why?
I was happy that Lisa VDP said that she knows that Erika didn't mean it "mean spirited" because it seemed to squelch the topic and we could all resume a celebratory night and at least toast friendship for a little while.
It seems as though mountains are made out of mole hills and unless something is exposed and turned into a devious plan to undermine someone, in a way it was never intended, then some people in this group aren't happy.

Note to self: When trying to choose words carefully so as not to incite new riots, do not use the word "like"...just give a bored look and wait for a new victim, I mean subject.

As always, ending on a positive note I'll say this:
We live in a world of so many cultures and beliefs and being able to travel shows us how small our personal life is in the big picture, but the one great truth, that is universal to all people, everywhere, is love and kindness.

Until next week,

Love,
Kathryn