these are the nights that I live for.

I knew that coming home would be good for me, that it would be great new perspective, a good refresher, almost a check-in point to see how summer had been treating me (and how I had been treating myself) so far. But I never expected such good things, such a good, introspective drive home (my time to "think about who I want to be", for as I was talking about lately with a friend, how scary is it that so many people don't think about that frequently? Who they want to be and what they want to do? If they're not taking responsibility for reflecting on that, what can we expect out of the world?), to get home and head out the door for a run an hour later, for the same run that i did two weeks ago when I was last home to be so much easier this time around (SO much easier), and for such an incredible night.

Just walking into the house of the people I went to visit tonight makes me feel like a better person. These people have gone through so many hardships in their lives, and not only have they become such wonderful people themselves, but they share stories about what they DID go through and learn to love despite it.  And so many stories even past that...of horses raised in childhood, riding their way around old farm country (yes, this is the town I grew up in), my father's old Chincoteague horse, how the woman's grandmother owned 8 bars in Harlem and how there are pictures of the woman sitting on Lena Horne's lap - LENA HORNE. Incredible. Not to mention the zeal they have for life in general, from their house to their many, many children to the adventures they have and their love for one another. They are just so interesting, so rich in information, and so grateful for what they have that you can't help but feel blessed just by being around them. It was full of good wine, amazing food that had been cooking all day, incredible company and stimulating conversation, all sitting around a fire and just enjoying each other's company. These people have got the dinner party thing down pat, and I can only hope to take a few lessons away from them, if only regarding socializing (learning from their style of living and their perspective on life wouldn't be too bad of an idea, either.)

some favorites right now: