Happiness will always find a way, no gates are locked to it.
Well, here we are. Syracuse: new city, new home. This time “home’ is not just a shelter, as I’m afraid was true of our last house. No, this time it’s a heartfelt, comfortable, cozy, exhale slowly kind of home. I don’t know a lot about feng shui but I dare say this home has an amazing flow to it; it has some great energy. I hope our current surroundings and situations will enable us to further our knowledge in all things Buddhist and practice yoga each morning. Here’s to hope…
**Meg adopted Pumpkin, our little Buddha Man who needed a new home since our apartment complex only allows 2 pets. Joey & Riley are best of friends and so it made sense that Pumpkin should be re-homed but it was obviously a difficult decision. We had a few inquiries in State College but as we came up on the move date, we didn’t have anything locked in; until Meg asked about him. Pumpkin now has an admirer of both the human (Keaton) and feline (Mimi) variety. Unfortunately, Pumpkin is causing complications due to his OCD-water-drinking habit. Stay tuned for updates, but many thanks to Meg and her family for agreeing to love our little guy. Also, she gave me coffee and a cookie on a morning from hell and I love her for that, too.
Pumpkin (back of couch), Joey (yawning), Riley (chillin') - the only time they all posed together!
**Justin rocks. Back in 2006 he flew down to Wilmington, NC to help Thommy pack up and drive our belongings up to Rochester, NY. I was already in New York due to health problems and Justin went above and beyond the call of friendship – driving 18 hours with a screaming Boo and other various… difficulties. That move took place in the middle of the summer, the Carolina sun roasting our dear friend. Fast forward to 2010 and he again answered the call to move us, this time in the dead of winter… snow and wind chill be damned. Regardless of the role: mover of heavy things, illuminator of dark rooms via iPhone, or distractor from injection site pain – Justin played the part with his signature style of humor and absurdity. Everyone needs a friend like this; we got the best there is.
Justin was with us when we picked up Boo from PetSmart on St. Patricks Day in 2005. Despite the allergic reactions and the insanity-inducing U-haul ride, I'm convinced there's still a small part of Justin's heart reserved for Boozer
**My mom is as unselfish as they come. It’s such a trite and cliché thing to say that others would “give you the shirt of their back”; yet, a borrowed grey sweater has become a rock solid reminder that there is no woman on this planet more giving of herself, her possessions, her everything, than my Mom. After expressing my love for said sweater, it somehow found itself left behind on my bed after my parents had left our apartment. The donated token was the catalyst for built-up and stuffed-down water works that resulted in a cleansing sort of cry; the seeds of sobbing that had started weeks ago with the frustration of another move and heavy uncertainty had turned into the cathartic weep of being truly loved. Not a day goes by that isn’t eased by the knowledge of her unconditional devotion and care.
The best there ever was
**Linds. You have to love with all your heart people who go out of their way to make you smile. Linds always makes me smile, even from far away and in spite of sporadic contact, or our lack of “heart-to-hearts”. We were neighbors during one of the most difficult times of our lives and that has bonded us indefinitely. She is one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever had the privilege of seeing in person; she always was, and she always will be. She sent me a friendship bracelet woven together with some powerfully symbolic colors. She even threw in some Penn State & North Carolina blue – just to make me smile. It worked, Linds. I love you.
Periwinkle (Eating Disorder Awareness); White (MS Awareness); North Carolina Blue (she did a Photoshop pic for me once with Carolina Blue); Penn State Blue (obviously)
**Final Thoughts. Memeres’ homemade dog treats that Riley happily munched on during our trip back to Syracuse… Meg (again) for getting my car out of the snowbank that was next to her driveway (next time she says back STRAIGHT out I’m going to listen)… My mother-in-law and the gracious gift of a credit card that has taken care of all the travel expenses and food associated with this move – also, the Buddha painting she gave Thommy that completely made his day… A new box spring (the old one was sawed in two pieces a couple years ago, just another casualty of the Manhattan Move)… Hotel Rooms and hot showers… Having only been in our new home for 8 days and being completely settled in (this includes having the pictures and mirrors already hanging on the walls- something that never happened in the 6 months we lived in State College)… Clams (yup, seafood) for helping me in the fight against anemia and for being so delicious… NOT having to inject tonight, especially since this occurred last night…
Ouch x 1 Million
LASTLY. I’m thankful for this space that I’m in, for the moment that I have right now, and for the peace that we can all find when we believe that things unfold the way they should; and for friends and family that provide both the safety net and the security blanket (or in my case, sweater) in case of emergency.
