Hello, yeah... it's been a while
I have had quite a busy two months. In mid-July, me, Lynn, Panda my sister Joan, and my niece Nyoki took a road trip up the California Coast. The first leg of the trip was in memoriam. We spread our sister June's ashes at Andrew Molera State Park in Big Sur. It was a good point of closure for all of us, especially for Joan, June's twin. Big Sur is still as glorious as ever, and the drive up presented the breathtaking views of cliffs and sea spray that I remembered from previous trips this way. Even though Lynn was born and raised in California, he had never driven the Highway 1 Route, so it was a treat for him, too. We all bonded with each other and got reacquainted, as we experienced beauty and fun at a casual pace--it was a much needed vacation for us all!
From Big Sur, we headed into Carmel to have a few days of R and R. We played tourist in Monterey, then moved on to San Francisco, and finally, Napa, to visit my dear friends Shawna and Nasha. Shawna played tour guide, driving us through the Redwood forest and Bodega Bay, location shoot for Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds. We took the less than scenic route home, along Interstate 5, then it was back to Los Angeles and "real life."
For me, that was writing more articles for Examiner.com, and setting up more interviews. I also had two opportunities to speak: at a job clinic, and at our church--I didn't realize how much of my time this would entail. It was a blessing, but aside from my birthday and anniversary celebrations in early August, the month simply whooshed by without a break; before I knew it, September was here...
Real life also meant more intensive training! Each week, I tacked on two miles of increase to my Griffith Park walk, and a week ago I completed 20 miles! This, amidst record L.A. heat (107 some days) and smoke and ash from the Station fire in the San Gabriel Mountains. I'm a crazy type of committed person--once I determine to do something, I find a way, no matter what the circumstances. Or maybe that's just what commitment is supposed to be, and we've moved far away from it in our society. But that's a topic for another day...
So here we are, at September 11, 2009, eight years after the horrific terrorist attack on the World Trade Center and The Pentagon. Normally I am watching all the remembrances, and trying in my own way to identify with those who truly lost. Lynn and I prayed this morning for our country, and for the families who are still dealing with grief like an open sore. But aside from lifting today to the ultimate source, I will not turn on the television or the radio. You see, today is also the eve of the AVON Walk, so I must prepare to head off to Long Beach, get registered, and then tomorrow, I WALK.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed funds, prayers, encouragement, and clothing! To see people be so generous, especially in these scary and tough economic times, blesses me to no end. Americans truly are a charitable people, and that generous spirit is exhibited and felt in so many ways. I am glad I pursued this walk, not only to slow down and get reacquainted with the world around me, but to get reacquainted with how kind and magnanimous people can be.
I have reached the minimum goal of $1,800, but still would like to reach my desired goal of $2,500. It's not too late to participate in a good cause--I know it's made a difference in my world, and to someone else who is battling with Breast Cancer.
WALKING, in Service to the Cause...
, as well as a time of bonding.