Did you do it?! Did you reach out to someone to show you believe in the power of new beginnings? 

I've been speechless and weepy all day by the outpouring of love and stories that you've shared about bridges re-built, shoulders offered, hands extended, forgiveness granted, and hope restored. The ripple effect, healing hearts when we need it immensely, was everything I dreamed it would be.

With the smoke from the nearby fires, we had to cancel all of our outdoor plans, but fear not, we still made memories for the ages, with synchronized dancing, zoom yoga, my favorite sushi, the gift of time (picture attached), and an endless parade of friends dropping off treats. We may be in a sugar coma for days. We also opened the box of pictures, cards, posters, and gifts from my hospital rooms, which I had packed away when we came home last September. If you haven't looked through a box of collectibles in awhile, I highly recommend it. You would be hard pressed to find a more magical elixir for the soul. This buried treasure says it all: 

"Life is amazing. And then it is awful. And then it is amazing again. And in between the amazing and awful it's ordinary and mundane and routine. Breathe in the amazing, hold on through the awful, and relax and exhale during the ordinary. That's just living heartbreaking, soul-healing, amazing, awful, ordinary life. And it's breathtakingly beautiful." - L.R. Knost

At the risk of sounding saccharine, today was extraordinary. Although our birthday plans got dashed twice, it was never lost on me how much more hopeful I've felt in 2020 compared to 2019, so clearly we are working with a low bar. And for now, I'll start dreaming about next year. Just imagine the ruckus that will unfold as we ring in my terrible twos.

Thank you for being a part of this journey.

Yours now and always,

MA