From the Sublime to .....well, life!

You never know where you're gonna end up!

Last summer at this exact time, I was still blissfully floating on air with one of the most exquisite trips of my life having just ended the week before. A short stint in Rome (by myself! LOVED it!), an indescribably beautiful week long meditation retreat in the hills of Assisi, and then a few wondrous days in Ireland with my sister to see the (literal) land of our forefathers. They worked on the land, mind you, they did not own it! But I digress, and way more on that later. Also during this week I was looking forward to a visit to see my daughter, her husband, and THEIR daughter (omg can you say ADORABLE GORGEOUS SMART CUTE FUNNY and AMAZING?!?!?) in Florida, then it would be off to be with my son in Dallas to help him set up his very first classroom at a Catholic elementary school there. Dallas is a hoot and a holler!! So much fun- lots going on , lots of cool neighborhoods, good food, good music (HELLO OLD 97's!!!!!), and of course, my child! I got to spend really good time with each of my kids, but of course, it's never enough. Now this really is not just MY opinion, but they each are amazing people, forging their own path, being strong, creative, wise, and kind people. I am truly blessed five times over.

I mean, Facetime is a dream when you can't be together in person! Are they so cute or what!

I was also looking forward to an amazing new job! Through a LOT of introspection, encouragement from family, friends, colleagues, and of course therapy (LOVE my therapist. So thankful for her!), I summoned up the courage to apply for an ART teacher position at a school here in DC. An excellent school, with a faculty and staff that are warm, loving, kind, and excellent at their jobs. And that now includes me! Wow. Reinventing yourself at 58 years old is blowing my mind.

Then it was October. And just wow. All I can say right now is WOW. WOW. Life threw some incredibly scary, life-altering curveballs, a huge personal loss, and a freaking epic hurricane called MILTON that thankfully did not hurt any of the people I know and love in Florida. It was my very first real, live, intense hurricane, and with the other situation(s) also happening at the very same time, I sit in awe of the journey that led us to safety and better health on the other side. Each situation boiled down to determination, love, perseverance, and HUMAN CONNECTION.

That is what I am reflecting on now, in this here July 2025. The human connection that is so essential to navigating this life of ours. Sometimes it can be scary to reach out, or to say "I need help", but just do it . PLEASE. Do not stop asking and looking until you find what you need. I have found time and again- and again, and again, and AGAIN- that these little connections help you in ways you never could have dreamed possible. You don't know when, or how or why, but it will come back to you. You start to create your own synergy, your own 'synchroncity' if you will. (I'll tell ya about that word another time! It's hilarious!!)

Thanks for reading if you've gotten this far and I can't wait to upload pics of all the things ASAP!!

Happy July and Happy Summer!!

xo

~Amy