Appreciation

Blogging is interesting. You "meet" people through the pages of your words who share a similar sense of release that comes with pouring yourself onto a computer screen. My all time favorite new friend, GirlTuesday, and I share a common "real life" friend in her smallish state so our meeting was not completely coincidental. But since getting to know her from her blog has made me, quite frequently, do a double take at the similarities we share.

She posted, a few days ago, a lovely poem by ee cumings. Everyone should read it--once again she's posted something that has personally come at the most exact time for me. I am looking forward to the day (that's coming soon) where we get to sit across a table and chat face to face.

Here's Looking At You, Kid....

There are things I love about DC that I would never want to change. Tonight was one of them.

Picture this: The National Mall--dusk. The Capitol to my front, the Monument to my back. Sun setting over the great city. Blankets laid out with 5000 people waiting for the movie to play. 2 girlfriends, on blankets, wine cheese and a breeze that would make you feel like you were anywhere but here. Casablanca, the movie, ahead of us.

We take a lot for granted. No one can deny that. But moments like this night are those you cannot. DC is a great place for a lot of reasons, none so grand as what is given to all of us. I sat tonight, on my Dogon wedding blanket, three girls who I adore on hand, and laughed and drank and ate cheese and bread amongst so many other people. We talked about our happenings: One who is still with the Good Senator, who is making these amazing decisions and choices and calls, who has the bravery of no one else I know; One who is with me in law school, in firm life, in that crazy place we call normal; One who works for the Presidential Candidate, while in law school, while juggling the rest of the world. And we sit, on the National Mall, watching an old movie that has never lost its grace, and I see that we are the same.

I can struggle. And I can call out. But with the girls I have, the girls we all have, we will never lose our grace. It was a great evening. Looking at J, talking to her about our good friend's fiance who is now on tap for war, and questioning what has changed between 1943 and now.

So much. So much has changed. And that's what makes things great. And it's what makes things comforting. We live our lives ensconced in those of others. And there is an added richness in that. I am thrilled and blessed with those who grace mine.

Here's looking at you, Kid. And it's a gorgeous picture I see.

Those Who Inspire

It's my friend S's birthday today. I have to post a little somethin' about her as this has been a kick ass and *BIG* week for her (and all of us who have been next to her during the past year).

S is one of those people who is a classic overachiever. She's in a joint degree program, getting both a master's and a J.D. She works for a judge, while balancing this. She goes to yoga classes. Regularly.

And today, she's reached the top of the thesis mountain, a peak that she has been climbing slowly and steadily for 365 days, if not more. I. Am. SO. Proud. Of. Her. Ladies and gentlemen, she has accomplished this ALL WHILE IN LAW SCHOOL.

I like having people around me who inspire me to be a little better, reach a little farther, push a litter harder. S is one of those. In a zen-like manner she steadily gets it done--accurately, intelligently, and always fashionably.

She deserves a shout out or four. Give someone a high-five and congratulate S on a job well done, and to another remarkable year on her birthday.