hearing that Shirley passed away yesterday. That sounds like a terrible thing to bring a smile to my face but I couldn't help but picture her in Heaven, complaining about the food. I am excited for her, I suppose that is a weird response, but after all she has been through, what a homecoming that must have been!
She will be missed downtown, yelling at cars and walking her cat...her smiles and hugs....
I can't wait to meet up with her again.

the illusion of summer that graced my morning walk.

while walking to school in the pouring rain, my pants soaked up to my knees, my fingers chilled to the bone and my back aching under the weight of my backpack. I stood at the crosswalk, after being splashed by a bus, and eyed the dry, warm commuters sipping their lattes in their heated leather seats. I thought to myself.."I am 30yrs old, I had a house, a yard, and nice new warm car to drive to work in, and I gave it all up for this?"

And then I smiled.

"Yes, I did."

And it was worth it.