Special Gift

Last night I had a lovely evening of drinks and nosh with two of my esteemed colleagues at Blind. It was great to get away from the daily grind, and just enjoy each other as people, especially since there won't be many more opportunities like this.

The night before last, my precious sister drove up from Long Beach to meet me in LA for some one-on-one time. I was of course running late and flustered when I got there, resenting the demands of my job which had stolen precious seconds from what was a much-anticipated time of togetherness. But Erin was unphased; she was relaxed and happy to see me, no matter the time, and instantly calmed and lifted my spirits.

We shared delicious mushroom-chicken crepes, oozing cheese and screaming indulgence, and if that wasn't enough, we capped our lovely meal with a chocolate souffle. The rich, airy delight tickled my tastebuds and delighted my senses.

After dinner, I was presented with a beautifully written, heartfelt card and a gorgeous necklace, both of which I will treasure for the rest of my life. It reminded me what a special gift I have in my sister-- of whom I can say that my biggest complaint is that she is making it incredibly difficult to leave. We spent the evening laughing, crying (me), and just enjoying each others company. How precious it is to have your best friend in your own family.

Sweet Erin, you have been for me a playmate, a sounding board, a source of laughter and fun, an inspiration as a worker, a wife and a mother, and a giver of tremendous joy and meaning in my life. You mean the world to me, and no distance will ever loosen the bonds that are between us. Though the physical distance may be great, you are forever in my heart. I love you!

Happiness Hangover

I woke up this morning with the taste of this weekend's delicious memories on my tongue, and an ache in my heart knowing that I am about to bid the people I love most farewell. From breakfast with my entire family at my favorite diner, to a slumber party and glorious hike with my very best friend, to an evening with the family at the fair....I think it finally started to sink in that the adventure my husband and I are embarking upon is a solitary one, and requires us to leave the ones we love.

The fair brought back so many wonderful memories of family time together, taking in the feeling of animal fur on my fingertips and the rich earthy aromas, drinking ice cold chocolate milk. What joy to see my precious nephew, almost a year old, petting the goats and eating ice cream, exploring the world with such hunger and delight. And my sister, my best friend since birth, and I eating balboa bars with the same fervor that we consumed them in our youth. When will I be able to do this again?

And my best friend and I, the dynamic duo since our first day at UCI, sitting on her bed and talking about our relationships and feelings, with more honesty than we often reveal to ourselves. How can I leave my precious friend?

The overabundance of love, joy, and feelings of belonging that I experienced this weekend left me with a heartache when I awoke alone this morning. I'm certain that this is the first of many mornings that I will long for this blessed life and these adored people that I am leaving. But what an age we live in, and what an opportunity to get creative with communication to maintain and strengthen those bonds of love.