Love

This March I was lucky enough to find a wonderful man who seemed to have been created just for me. We have numerous things in common, from the appreciation for the same hockey team to love of photography, we seem to have been perfectly matched. Jay has been a great gift and I feel so comfortable with him, it feels like we have been together forever...

It leaves me to wonder, what was different this time versus the last few times I dated? I know a big thing was the fact that my heart and soul are ready. Ready to be open and willing to risk and to put myself out there with the hope of having a partner to share the rest of my life with. It has taken a very long time to get to that point, I thought I was there before, but something knew I really wasn't and those relationships did not last.

I believe another reason is because things just seem so easy and right with Jay. He is beautiful, funny, smart...always laughing, not afraid to tell me his feelings and his concerns...he is honest, never critical or disrespectful with me or those he has other dealings with...he is great with the kids- cares for them as much as he does for me and he has a lovely brown dog--Dakota whom I adore and love having around. We thrive on each others company, enjoy car trips to the beach or to Sunriver, bike riding in Portland and area, walking the dogs under the stars and just laying around talking to each other, sharing the news or watching hockey or football.

It is simply wonderful knowing that I don't have to be alone anymore. Knowing that there is a special someone to share the ups and the downs and to be with during the holidays and during the every day when life and kids happen. We work very well together, what I can't get done--he does and what he can't finish--I can...its a lovely dance that I look forward to doing for a very, very long time...

Mexico

This is a picture out of a dream I've had since I was a much younger woman. Blue sky, azure blue ocean, white sandy beach, palm trees swaying in the breeze...my vision of heaven.
I am finally making this dream a reality and leaving for Playa Del Carmen on Sunday morning with my daughter! All in the guise of celebrating her 20th birthday (which is, in fact, true), but in reality its a celebration of arrival for me. Its realizing that I can't keep putting things off, that life happens so quickly and if we keep waiting to see and do things till tomorrow, we'll never see or do them! The rest will work itself out, it always seems to..but the chance to walk this beach, feel the sand and the water against my toes, feel the ocean breeze against my skin, bask in the beauty that I've only dreamt of...that is what life is all about!



So I prepare for the trip...clothes, passports, cash..but what I really look forward to are the pictures. The images of the memories we'll have. The beach, the water, the resort, but mostly the people. I can't wait to see the life there. My daughter and I always do such non-tourist things. I think it we are more comfortable schmoozing with locals and hanging out in the off the beaten track places, than hanging at the resort being pampered. Getting to know how these people survive, what makes them different in attitude and values--that's what we want to know.

Its also an opportunity to get to know my daughter better. To spend some quality time learning more about her as a young woman, listening to what she sees her future being like. I hope she will see that living in the now rather than waiting till later, is the greatest gift to give yourself! Life plows by in the blink of an eye, and if someone had given me this advice at 20, I'd have lived a little differently...I hope she jumps at every opportunity and creates many for herself.
No fear, no regrets...live life like there is no tomorrow... to Mexico!!