"I'm shiny and I know it."

Hey.

To begin, I want to apologize for not writing here in a while -- I understand that it's not like I have a contract that says I have to write every X number of days, but still -- I missed this.

For the past couple of weeks, I've been in the throes of being home again -- dealing with a divided family, friends who would rather be with their college friends, lots of time in close proximity with folks that I haven't seen in months, changes in people's lives, and not feeling quite like I belong in this small town but feeling guilty for wanting to be elsewhere. It's complicated.

However, today, I reconnected with a friend who is so very dear to me, and she really brightened my week. The rest of this week is looking good, too. I've been going to rehearsals for my sister's play (Y'all can call me Raphael, mmkay? ARCHANGEL. That's right.) and tomorrow I get to attend the high school graduation, have tea with that dear friend of mine, and on Friday, even more things are planned.

And on Saturday, I'll be gliding over the Atlantic, going to see my girl once more.

--

I'm so lucky to live this life, even with all its craziness. Sometimes, for a split second, I understand that everyone that I know has a life that is just as complicated and confusing and beautiful and difficult and fascinating as mine -- I comprehend it for one moment -- and it blows my mind.

It's a damn cool world we live in.