For some reason...

For some reason I find that I am quite emotional tonight.

I find that my eyes are leaking.

Blessings are interwoven into the fabric of our lives...

Made it to Columbus, Georgia to go to Ft. Benning tomorrow morning. Arose at 3 am. My brother and sis-in-law were kind enough to watch Sadie & Todd. They also dropped me off at the airport at 6 am. When my plane finally landed in Atlanta, we waited 3 1/2 hours on the tarmac for an available gate. Took the MARTA to get my luggage and then to rent a car. Drove 90 miles to my destination, but I arrived safe and sound. I find myself quite tired yet quite grateful. Blessings are interwoven into the fabric of our lives.

Transitions...

Am flying out tomorrow to spend the weekend at Fort Benning, Georgia (“the Sandbox”) with Q as it is family day/weekend.  Over the years I have witnessed him grow from child, to adolescent, to young adult to a man.  Q. reminds me so much of my Dad and my Grandpa Reed. He has evolved into what I think a man should be; strong and true yet gentle and kind.

A fierce and beautiful woman...

It took me 56 years to look in the mirror and say

 to myself, "You are a fierce and beautiful woman."

I am a fierce and beautiful woman.

The narrative of your life...

When you step out of that comfort zone and experience people, places

and things different from you, it will change the narrative of your life.

The universe has your back...

This is not by coincidence...

On rare occasions, the universe guides you to meet someone in your life who makes a true impact. An impact which will change your life. For me, I met one of these people in a smallish laundromat in Florence, Italy. I met Carol Dao while we were both waiting to do our laundry. She was leaving the next day for Chianti, Italy to complete her book; Q. and I had just arrived. We sat there, waiting and talking. I realized that she was put there for a reason. After I had completed my laundry, I was struck by her strength. She had left California with one suitcase, following her dream living in Italy. She shared that despite growing up in an affluent family in Orange County, California she left an executive position and followed her dream. I admired her strength to do so and I admired her wisdom and insight into life.

Over the next year I found thinking about this seemingly random meeting. I was in a cross roads in my life. My son was nearing the end of earning his college degree and I needed to decide on the next steps in my life. I had not enjoyed living the suburban existence and wanted to pursue a life I had dreamed of. Travel, foreign cultures, friendships with people with different experiences and backgrounds. Quite simply, Carol, perhaps unknowingly, was that catalyst for me.

After visiting the Iberian Peninsula with my son last year, I knew that moving to Portugal was what I was destined to do. I knew, even before I visited Portugal, that this was home. When I saw this country for the first time, it nearly took my breath away. This was it.

Upon attending Q’s graduation from his Army training, I will be picking up and moving to northern Portugal. I’m selling most of my belongings and only keeping those things I value most—mementos of Q. growing up, photographs, a few heirlooms. I find that I am not attached to many material things anymore. It will not bother me one bit leaving these things behind. A few times in our life, we are fortunate to meet these people who propel us to make the changes for which we are destined. I believe this is not by coincidence.

It lights the whole sky...

“Even after all this time, the sun never says to the earth, ‘You owe me.’ Look what happens with a Love like that! It lights the whole sky.” 
Hafez (1315-1390) SUFI POET