JJ and the monkey room

knowing when it is time to say goodbye
the sweetest question in the world
a prayer answered, a hope realized, a dream fulfilled
finding the right path on the crooked, never traveled road
the simplicity of the word yes
understanding that, sometimes, quiet is as loud as you can be

Gathering of Kings

not quite finding it, but still willing to search for, just the right balance

virtuous patience and the prayerful longing I have for it

accepting that God's will is not always my will - actually, rarely is it so - but knowing that His way is best

needing - and blessedly having - friends who hold me up and give me love when I need it most

knowing that where I am is where I am supposed to be at this moment, on this day

the incredible strength of my husband

the elephant-clopping of a horse-size dog

the independence and womanhood and innate goodness of my only child

having not two, but four good legs and an ever-wagging, happy tail

the hope of an epiphany on the Feast of Epiphany

my mother got us china

tweaking the recipe just right to make the longed for Christmas cookie
beautiful, color-filled lights on the tree, without saying a word
needing nothing
simplifying the entire process
the joy of the next few weeks
the annual Meyer sale
making perfect sense - to him

where to go

getting out of the way
a still-beating broken and battered heart
acceptance
beginning the process
enduring what seems to be unbearable pain
loving anyway

This is it

accepting that we're all we've got
knowing all will be well
realizing the waiting is almost over
looking forward to time away
having X Files for him to enjoy
living my only life
praying mightily

no man-purse for him
Friends
it does matter where we live
baskets
Steve and Barry's
candles
friends

RICHIE!!!!
Tosh
this is my life
no worries
knowing where it's going
being genuinely happy for my dearest friends
news channels
reconnecting
the way the fork-in-the-road turns into a good decision