46

46 arrived. It was rough. You see, I was born on my Nano’s 38th birthday. Sharing my day with her is all I’ve ever known.

My Nano was a great lady. A bright light. No shadows. None.

She had a heart of gold. No one ever went without on her watch. She was a fashion icon who embraced the styles of every decade, and slayed them. She carried her lipstick in her bra, my angel in blue eyeshadow, the picture of dignity and grace all the while. Oh, yeah, and she cussed like a sailor! She taught me what love looks like and how absolutely gorgeous flaws can be.

She passed over into what is next, this past October. I never realized how much of my identity was intertwined with hers until I woke up on July 10th this year, alone. I’ve been still and quiet, just considering. Grieving down deep in my soul.

Finally love crept in. You know how it does when it saves you. But it wasn’t a prince on a horse. It was three loud girls in a bar. And a soft word from my son. Then the realization that my entire life has been a love story…

I have loved and been loved deeply since the moment I entered the atmosphere. My love story hasn’t been a fairy tale. It’s been more like a cross between a telenovela and a slapstick comedy, but it’s been anything but boring.

I have absolutely no regrets when it comes to love! Only the hope that the next 46 years are just as memorable and beautiful as the first.

Hugs and kisses to my tribe.

May we love with all that we are.

And may all know us by our light…