a most remarkable day...yes, it's true - i went into work for a few hours. despite the respiratory backlash, i was uber productive. my angelfriend keeps me updated on estate sales her stepmother is holding and today's trip was a goldmine of stuff-n-junk for assemblage! she is kind enough to not ask out loud What The Hell Do You Want With THAT?? Beautiful Smart Stepdaughter came over with her other family's new puppy, and after a nice walk through the woods (diva ignoring the pup and nervously praying that this one wasn't staying) we sat outside on the deck talking. it was all i could do to keep from tearing up...she has grown into such an incredible young woman. she has a very promising life ahead of her, filled with passion for life itself and firm knowledge and confidence in who she is becoming. i adore her. and AND just as she was thinking about heading out, a package arrived. right then. and i opened it to find The Journal, Volume One from Squam. and then a squeeze of homesickness grabbed my heart, and i will admit to a few tears sliding down my cheek...just an instant, yearning for the place and the people that Know me...where i can fully be Me. stepper and i had just been talking about how she gets lonely in the summer for her friends at school, and how the friends she has here from high school just don't seem to connect with her any more. we talked about deep girl stuff for a few hours...just the 4 girls on the deck...2-leggeds and 4-leggeds. then with incredible timing - The Journal. she looked through it, and looked at me (a bit differently) and said she really would like to go next year...that it seemed like an experience she'd like to have. she said it just like that. after she left with puppy-who-will-soon-be-huge, a quick check of email...a women's african drumming class, no kidding, at a perfect time for me...so it was just a week ago that i threw that wish to the stars, and here it is...on a twinkling beam of light. and just in case i missed the point, i noticed my angelfriend was on the board of directors! i will burst. so i'm brewing some tea, and have my cozy balcony set up for an afternoon of reading. today, i am filled with such gratitude for all i have...i am filled with gratitude for you.