Fare thee well, Louisville

We are here! I am so excited to begin this new chapter with this Love I now call home! It seems that I have unknowingly underestimated the sheer enjoyment that comes from having someone in which to share life's adventures. My bad; I stand corrected. I must be the luckiest person in the world.
Wow. Having only planned to stay in Louisville for six months or so when I moved back in 1997, I'd say it was certainly time. Not being overly thrilled about the idea of moving back to Louisville (sorry!), I'll admit that it took me a bit to warm up to the place. I loved and missed my family and they were here, so that was my starting point. The next sixteen years were full of many events. Some expected, but many, many unexpected events along the way. Some were beautiful, some were heart-wrenching, and some were absolutely life-changing. I lost a job that I thought I'd keep forever (but this took me on a life-changing, magnificent soul search!), I saw two beautiful nephews begin life and add immeasurable joy to our family, and I found the Love I now call home, or rather she found me. I traveled often, and I (finally) received my degree, a life-long goal. I also found myself; oddly enough, I hadn't even realized that I was missing, but I most certainly was.

So, I'll hold Louisville as a special place, and I'm sincerely grateful to have met each and every one of you along the way. Yes, even those who have produced some of those heart-wrenching events! I could not have always said that, but I've come to see that every encounter taught me something about myself, life, love, kindness, and humanity in general, so for that, I am grateful.

I'd thought I'd leave you with a few parting suggestions as I go:

1. Relax in the moment. No, I really mean it. Just relax in the moment.
2. Get involved in an organization that is creating dialogue in the community. I suggest KFTC-Kentuckians for the Commonwealth, but if this isn't your cup of tea then find one that fits.
3. Go to WorldFest in the Fall. It is a wonderful display of this community's international beauty--I don't care if it's hot or rainy, go and show your support. I'll truly miss going.
4. Make an effort to get to know people--especially those who have different opinions/beliefs/lives/cultures from you. As Brown Pop always says, "It's not wrong, it's just different." We all have much more in common than we realize. (...and we'd all be better people if we followed Brown Pop's example.)
5. Read Thich Nhat Hanh's book, Good Citizens. 
6. Eat at Yaffa Cafe on 4th and Broadway. You can will most definitely thank me later.
7. Be kind. I believe it was Mother Teresea who said, "I prefer to make mistakes in kindness than to work miracles in unkindness."

Finally, find your peace. My peace and happiness might not suit you, but it is a most wonderful, joyous, fulfilled place to me. Be happy. Keep in touch. I'll miss you.