so it's about 60 minutes away from serious vacation time. :)
Gone today...
... not back till January 4.
Dude!!! (does a little dance)
I have a great deal of chrismtas type happiness working it's way into my toes. :D :D :D
~ on the heels of that, please let me take a moment to send a rather cryptic wish out to a very lovely young woman... a mommy and a wife and right now... a patient in a hospital. Dearest Catherine... I hope this becomes a legend from your past just as quick as can be... My heart is completely taken over by concern for you and your family. I wish there was something I could do.
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There is a lot of really wonderful stories in the land of my ever expanding journal friend list.
I draw strength... stamina to face life's challenges... by pumping up on you guys.
I learn new points of view... and gain a better understanding of my own points of view...
There are pregnancies... babies... weddings... sweet love... and stories of passion.
They all conspire in their own special way... to give greater and greater context to the experiences in my own life.
There are also, sadly... many stories of challenge.
Relationships that are fraying the last threads of connection...
Distance between lovers that redefine my understanding of longing...
and honest to god pain... from shattered hearts, fragile and breaking health and hope-on-the-ropes.
It is the play of these two camps... the juxtaposition of the extremes across the field of view that my journal brings to me... that truly tests my emotional range.
My heart is made resilient by the good and wonderful stories that you bring me...
and my heart may just burst with the wish to reach out and lend what ever strength I can give... to the simply precious friends that are facing some of life's challenges.
I love you ... and all you guys and not one thing in the world can replace you.
It's a friendly kind of love... and I give it happily, knowing that I get soooo much in return that... well.. it's almost criminal. :D
Peace yo. :)