Last week, my curmudgeon uncle made a joke to me at my other uncle’s funeral. This guy hasn’t spoken to me in years (since the 1st year Obama got elected), and it was nice to have him be jovial with me.

I just deleted a long story about me getting fired from a job to instead say that getting fired brought some of the greatest changes that never would have happened otherwise. Because I got fired, I had to find a new career. I have moved up in the company twice in very little time, taking on a leadership role that I enjoy, but most importantly, I met the love of my life at my job, and I sit here in our home in the country pinching myself to remind myself that it is, indeed, real!

My long-time friend, Nancy. She has served our community for years. She guided me many years back on how to become a good servant of our community as we worked on a few different non-profit events together. She not only serves her community, but is loyal and giving and nonjudgmental to her loved ones. I have been on the receiving end of her generosity many times! She is so humble and wants no kudos or anything for what she does. It’s just who she is, and I’m grateful to know this beautiful person!

When I finally felt it for myself several years ago, that was a surprise. And that changed everything!
I was surprised when I fell in love again, after spending way too long in a toxic marriage. I knew I would love again, but never expected this beautiful gift we have been given to share. I feel like pinching myself sometimes to remind myself that I’m not dreaming!

At my uncle’s funeral the other day, my brother surprised me with love when he grabbed my hand during the service after we made eye contact. He saw me fighting tears and lent me some much-needed comfort in that moment..

I’ve been tending my path for quite some time now. I don’t feel I need anyone to follow, although I do try to set a good example of a good life. Most people who know me know that I’ve been through some crap (just like everyone else out there), and just the simple fact that I am working to let my light shine, to share that light, and to show that happiness is possible no matter what makes me feel like I am doing my part in this world. I never push my beliefs or how I got to where I am, but am always happy to share if someone asks.

Mostly gratitude. For I am so blessed to be able to wake up each day, get out of bed, and go about my day usually with ease… whether it be work, yoga, surfing, going for a walk, etc. Right now I am experiencing the wonder by feeling some tightness in certain muscle groups after an intense interval training workout yesterday. It feels good! And is telling me to do some yoga before work today 🙂

The living body really is amazing. Experiencing the changes that come with age is so cool, even if sometimes fear creeps in when thinking about it. My eyes aren’t what they used to be, but I can still see. I have a funky wrist, but a super cool surf story behind it. I can feel the weather change in my knees after years of them slipping out here and there while being active in my life. I don’t skateboard anymore because of that! Bodies don’t last forever, but I do my best to take care of mine so that I can have fun with it while I’m still in it!

I have an excitement for the business my man & I are starting. We both love cooking and entertaining, and as he’s a trained chef and I’m a former planner, it’s going to be so much fun! We just have to make the time to really sort the details, but there are parts that have already fallen into place.

I’m also excited to marry this man. I don’t know when it will happen, but we started talking about it a couple months ago. While I knew I would love again after my first marriage, I never thought I’d want to marry again. Then I met my soulmate. Our connection is something I’ve never experienced – so beautiful and deep and loving and honest. And every day gets better as our relationship grows stronger. I can feel my heart welling up with gratitude just thinking about it!

I try not to have many expectations, but they are definitely still there. And each day, life is what challenges them. Whether it be the ever-changing Southern weather changing my plans on a day off, or an unexpected comment from one of my Team Members encouraging me to continue climbing the ladder (this happened yesterday and is the opposite of my expectation of this person – and it really lit me up with gratitude!). The latter is a lesson for me that I am doing better than I often give myself credit for, and that I am worthy of the higher position if our current Team Leader gets another position. It was also a lesson that the person who said it to me is not always the curmudgeon we expect him to be.

I, too, have been one who dislikes surprises, but as I continue to learn to let go, I also learn that surprises can offer up beautiful miracles – whether little daily boosts or overall life changers. Actually, they are all life changers, but that’s another post!