Processions

Dear Stranger,

I don’t know your name, and you won’t ever know mine. It is likely we never even met. 
You were buried today. I know this only because I encountered your funeral procession on my drive in to work. 
It started while I was stopped at a red light. I turned off my stereo, rolled down my windows, and observed the peaceful morning silence in your honor. 
This lasted for 23 minutes as a line of vehicles crossed through that intersection with flags attached to their antennae, all to celebrate your life. Some faces were reminiscent, some eyes were tearful. 
It is evident that you were highly valued and very much loved by the people in your life. I feel it is safe to say you will be missed by many. 
I hope someday I have lived such a full life that my funeral procession is 23+ minutes long. 
I hope a kind stranger takes the time to observe a moment of silence on a (hopefully) beautiful day and really take in the energy around them. 
I thank you, unique individual who unknowingly impacted my life today. 
I hope you are resting at ease, knowing that someone is thinking of you fondly. 


More graffiti later,
~A

2017

A year of lost and found... 

This year, I successfully (or unwillingly but with a vengeance):

Lost my patience for stupidity and found an endocrinologist. 

Lost a key member of the Village of Women who raised me but found a new home. 

Lost some fear of the future and found a new step on my career ladder.

Lost a little money, but found a day to celebrate for no particularly important reason.

Lost some past regrets and found a new car.

Lost a few friends and found a few unexpected silver linings. .

Lost trust in the words of some people and found a heart problem.  

Lost touch with my priorities but found a way to live life to the fullest.

Lost my delivery path and found my passion for food again. 

Lost my daughter but found an amazing support system. 

Lost part of my routine and found my hibernating passion for writing. 

Lost my cool and found success in my new hobbies. 

In 2017, 

I lost 69 lbs and found a new way to see myself as important. 

I lost faith in myself but found my true worth. 

I lost my mind but found my spirit. 

I lost touch with people, broke things, and fumbled along the way. 

I found purpose, gained wisdom, and followed through on a New Years resolution for the first time in my life. 

I am not sad that 2017 is over, and I am excited for the adventures that 2018 will undoubtedly bring!

I have a good job, a great family, wonderful friends, an amazing partner, and an overwhelming amount of love and support. 

More later!

~A