This has been a busy and emotional week. All really good stuff but none the less...a few tears have been shed. :-)
On Friday of this week, I will be traveling to Baltimore, MD to hang out some absolutely fabulous friends, Hope, Kari and Cassondra! OMG! I am SO thrilled about this trip and can't believe the time is just about here! We have been planning this trip ever since our wonderful time last year.
The four of us have each met and come to know each other on separate occasions over these last few years; however, through these visits, online conversations and secrets shared, we realized there is a wonderful magic in our friendship and, speaking for myself, tremendous joy, happiness and inspiration happens when I am with these three beautiful souls!
Cassondra, me, Kari and Hope
When we took the picture above at Art in Ashland in August, 2008, little did we know we would be setting a precedent. When these lovelies visited me in Portland last year, we recreated this pose when we were at the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden (during the golden hour, I might add).
Cassondra, Kari, me and Hope
Hmmm...where will our next picture be? :-)
In preparation for this trip, Kari sent each of us a book to use as our souvenir journals. Does she know us or what? I've been working on mine, trying to build "blank" pages so that while I am on my trip, I can fill it in.
Also working on a group project with these three girls that involves a special word near and dear to our hearts. I won't share that; however, until I'm back from this trip.
And then there's also a few little prizes that I'm bringing along for the other adorable girlies that I get to see on this trip...Cammy, Kelli and Pam!
So on to the good thing that has me keeping the tissue handy....my bright and shiny daughter graduates Yoga Instructor school next week. She is leaving this Thursday to start her journey southward to the school's headquarters in California. Glen and I are SO proud of Miranda for not only starting this program and finishing it, but her committment and growth as a woman and human along this path has been remarkable. She is amazing and I'm so proud and impressed by the depth of her knowledge.
So far none of this is tissue worthy, right? Well, it continues. After Miranda graduates, she will be staying in California! Indefinitely and with the only plan to continue growing, learning and making her life meaningful. Miranda is a member of WWOOF and will be exploring that as one of her goals is to live in an intentional community. Sigh...
So even though I am going to miss my beautiful, accomplished daughter like I'd miss my right arm, the thrill and joy I am experiencing in having raised this young woman to be adventurous and confident is extremely rewarding. She is bravely taking the path less traveled and I couldn't be more proud of her!
