Yesterday I wrote a brief rundown of my thoughts about my trip to let everyone know I am home and well. I also was told that some people actually read this daily......Wow !!! that inspires me to keep on writing. One day when I have enough for a book I can look back as this being a great learning experience on being devoted and disciplined to the daily process. My life has been so unpredictable for the past few years that I have had a difficult time committing to the same schedule or any schedule for that matter. Now my health allows me to make this commitment.
On a heartfelt level I felt touched by the people who I knew but not very well, as they embraced me with love and open arms as if I had been a long lost friend. Damn I could have been Prom Queen. The close friends and family I was able to see I realized how special they are to me and the intensity of our friendship. It was as if we just saw one another last month. Most people do not change inside, they remain the same but have added new experiences and have grown in most areas and back slid in others. Just like every human on the planet. The core of a person remains the same, which was comforting for some reason. I saw my younger friends who were struggling with careers, finances, young families etc. in a new phase of adulthood. Some have found their groove after years of trying on different hats and those friends who have been settled in life and career have found even more success and completeness in life. some have suffered loss of health, of loved ones, of child, a breast, a business or two, a mate or a home yet they rise above and keep going. I learned that my friends are resilient and strong with big hearts.
A few friends have moved and found lives fuller and happier in other parts of the world. I love that !!! I noticed friends around the ages of 45-60 have found their artistic talents or followed their dreams passionately. Some who have taken up art, jewelry making, voice or music talents, and some expanded their business' or created new exciting ones ( like Karen who moved to Costa Rica, bought a retreat for rental income, started a fishing business with a friend, is becoming quite the photographer, neuter-spay animals and help young girls, especially indigenous young ladies in finding their inner strengths and saving them from prostitution. All her philanthropic dreams coming true). I miss our rock hounding hikes, or shall I say Boulders?
Then there is Sweet, Lovely Constance. My special girlfriend-sister. Thank you for your generosity and home for both Douglas and I... Her home, ambiance, three boutiques, jewelry making, sewing-designing talents, music passion on piano and vocals, her wonderful son, and all the sweetness she has offered for so many years back to when we shared the same house in Montford in 1991, then to when I worked for her on and off part time through out the years and our budding friendship. I admire you so very much. As I do all my Friends who are constantly surprising me......You know who you are: too many names to mention...Thank you for spending time with me(or trying to) and sharing your lives, dreams and even sadness. Aimee I loved being with you and the boys. Jack and Leslie thank you for airport shuttle but missed more quality time. Mary and Chuck great times in your garden and in the outdoors and looking forward to next big vacation!! brigid, Chris, Betty, Louise, Leah, Marita and Hank you all have really moved into a great time of your lives with creative juices flowing !!! Keep it up I so admire you all. James, Lane, Ian, Hector, Halo, Will, Breakfast club boys, JD and all the males with whom I spent time....Love ya's. Thanks for keeping Doogie in line (hahahaha) Axel your home was a blessing in a natural way !!! Nancy and Thad you make me laugh. Nice having lunch with the girls at laughing seed and enjoying a much missed "Harmony Bowl" and to Gina, David and Tiffany for your healing touch.(sorry I missed Cissy and Joan...Keep on healing and so happy for new kidney !!) Leah we tried and I think we have Karma. We seem to miss each other in Ann Arbor and now in Asheville so please let me know when you are coming here and hopefully I can meet Martin. Avian, you are a mother figure and have been since we first met when I was a babe at 21 years old.....That means so much. Mary G. I miss seeing you in Asheville !!! But always great we keep in touch weekly. I had a blast with my family in Black Mountain !!! Love you Pete and Paula!! Keep me tuned in. To the rest of you I could not see you know my love !!!
The city is not the same in so many ways as you all know. I will save that for another blog where I can vent and brag !!! ALL I can say is that the changes in Asheville which have occurred over the past 2 years is astounding. I am amazed at the growth, the influx of very wealthy folk, people from other cultures spicing it up, more stores and restaurants, higher cost of living, 10.9% hike in cost of real estate in just one year, and all the vibrant city life usually saved for NYC and bigger towns around the globe. The most amazing thing to me was the fast growth without a real city plan that can accommodate the growth in a healthy, realistic way. My perspective. I am concerned for the people who have lived there for so long making the town what it is because of the high cost if living. I hope the powers that be will not allow another Vail, but with Tiger Woods class act golf course atop our lovely mountains, it is probably a dun deal. Million and billion dollar homes are being built as we speak. Let's hope the service industry can afford to stay. Who will prepare, serve and grow the food? Clean the streets? Volunteer for civic events? We shall see.........
That is it for now...........See the rest of you friends upon next return.
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