Throwback Thursday

Here's me high in the California desert on an October day in 2005, leaving the Golden State for the Florida peninsula. My heart was heavier then than it is now, almost on the eve of leaving Florida for my next chapter. I was leaving family then; I'm going to them now. This time, I am taking my puppy with me from the very beginning!

I have no idea what happens next, but I kind of like that feeling.

In the weeks before I left California, I was so very sad. Everywhere I went and everyone I saw was another goodbye. I was also so scared. I hadn't grown into myself at all yet, I didn't believe in my gifts and skills nearly as much as I let on. I had serious, secret doubts about God.

Much of that is different now. In some aspects, all that's different is that I know these things about myself and I am learning to be okay with them. That in itself changes a lot.

This morning was Samson's last trip to the little dog park here in Casselberry, his first dog park. All his favorite buddies were there, it was like they knew. Especially his favorite buddy, Bear, a big, lovable Saint Bernard who is just about Samson's age. They love to wrestle and get dirty together. And they are always especially excited to see each other, you can tell. It made me really sad to think they won't play together again, except perhaps on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge... but that's a long way off!

I thanked God for Bear each time the big guy brought his giant, beastly head up to me and asked for a scratch. Such a sweet dog!

The apartment's almost empty. Tomorrow is my last day in Florida.