grateful

Here's what I give thanks for tonight...

The ability to share my feelings with the one who inspired them. The surreal experience of being as deeply intrigued by the soul of another as I have until this point only been by my own (how self-absorbed does that sound). The peace-giving sense that comes with ultimately wanting God's will to be done even more than I want my immediate desires to be filled. The awe that occurs when I consider the path I have walked on to reach this point. The fact that I have had close companionship for the journey.

The freedom to surround myself with city when I am overwhelmed by suburb. The relief of not caring that my purse doesn't match my outfit. Melancholy music on cd mix tapes. Lyrics about the search for a fleeing girl... "send out a battalion to find her"... that remind me of my own God-given desire... under all the right circumstances... to be pursued forever, to the ends of the earth. A smiling inner acceptance of this girly wish. The adjective "smashing" (I'm obviously getting tired). My growing hope - confidence, even? - that for the rest of my life I will find freedom to evolve and daily reinvent myself.

Unfortunately this may be my last post for awhile. I resolved tonight that I will not publish again until Charlie adds a brand new photo to his stunning collection: www.flickr.com/photos/charlier. Bye for now!