The best things in life are free...

"The more one does and sees and feels, the more one is able to do, and the more genuine may be one's appreciation of fundamental things like home, and love, and understanding companionship."- Amelia Earhart True. I can't say that I've flown a plane, have world wide fame, no the distinction of... disappearing. However, being away, starting a new job, making new friends, parenting 80+ children, living alone, paying bills, changing state residence, gaining conviction to register and vote, and all of the other new stuff makes me at best one of the "ones" to which good ol' Amie is referring. I have a new found appreciation for my friends and their families. Here are a few recent events for which I am extremely grateful:  - The smiling Douglas children who great me in the hallways after school. Secretly, Riley is really my child. Sorry Hillary. - Making egg rolls with Jami, Izzy, and Steve Sunkel, Patricia Tofili, and Mary and Drea Aquino. - Spending St. Patrick's Day and Memorial Day with the Ridenours and family. - Skyping with everyone at Dad's on Easter. - Watching "Thor" with Tammy and Josh Young. - Enjoying the Gina Relays from the comfort of the Dailey's heated tent filled with food and all of my favorite people including my own Momma. - Dinner with Biggs, Clara, and Alice at Roselie's when I was home in April. - Dinner with Bruce, Lauren, and Chelsea Wackernagel in Pueblo, CO at an Applebee's. - Skyping with my stepbrother, Aaron and his girlfriend, Caitlyn and Shawn, Emily, Mom, Dad and Libby, Grandpa and Grandma Buchhop, Grandma Argyle, Susie, Rown, and Mila Gauvin for the Baby Reveal Party... Caitlyn and Shawn are having a GIRL! - Celebrating Katie and Kam's upcoming wedding at a beautiful shower thrown by Katie's Aunts; chatting with Katie's Mom and Grandma afterwards. - Eating dinner in Homer at Rumors with Mom, Caitlyn, and Shawn. It's not that these events would not have brought me great joy before I moved, rather I don't think I could have appreciated how lucky I am that there are people in my life who are willing to share more than just precious time with me. Economics dictates that time is the world's most precious commodity. I suppose that is true if you consider that possibly the reason home, love, companionship, families, and friends are all INVALUABLE is because these things take time. Thank you to all mentioned above and the countless others who touch my life, for your time which you give to me freely. Why they do this, it's hard to say...