365

It's been a year since I laid down my sword and changed my life.

In some ways, I couldn't feel more the same.

In others, I don't recognize that person who I was, just starting to find my voice on my own, just starting to trust others to, as that sweet saying goes, more or less, sing the song of my heart back to me whenever I forgot it.

I went back to the Blue Hills today, to sit on a rock, talk with a friend, and center. After that talk, I embraced the solitude and autumn air just like I did in September 2009 when I first stepped foot into that wood, disoriented by my new home and endlessly excited about my new life.

As I walked around the pond, I felt whole, still excited about what's to come, but complete with just me there in my place.

I circled 'round, saw some couples, kids, dogs, and then got in my car to be with the people who sat with me, a stranger, on this day last year with just as much love as they would today.

Every day I am grateful for my life. But traditions, celebrations, benchmarks and milestones, big and small, deserve their special places of thanks and appreciation. To today, I say thank you. This day is full of irrefutable hope.