As we head into the dark
We must find the light(s)

That feeling when you share something hard with a friend 
And you don't want to come across as That Miserable Person
So you end it with
"Well at least I've got a roof over my head and food in my belly"
And she says
"Gratitude is nice. But it's ok for it to be hard. I know it's hard right now."
The relief that floods through you
The relief of being seen and understood
And held in the pain
​Even if for a moment. 

Imagine it is cold and dark 
And you are very ready to be home 
And you're waiting for the uptown C
And a train comes chugging by
And you do a double take 
Because it's not the regular train
The cars are different
The upholstery is different 
There's something old timey about it 
And it's decked out in Christmas lights 
You later discover it's an "Arnine" or City Car
In use from the 1930s until 1977 
And now re-purposed for Holiday Nostalgia Rides
The Special was on its way uptown 
You better watch out, you better not cry, 
Stand clear of the closing doors please 
The festive season is on its way...

Today I am thankful for
The blue of the sky
And the magic of Raleigh scattering
For the ability to run
For inspiring conversation
For early shifts
For shared thinking about flan
For synchronicity
For breath
For movement

Do something every day that scares you
That challenges you 
That pushes you
Like running in the woods after spotting a bear 
You can carry a whistle that you're dear friend picked up for you
You can improve your average pace 
Like playing flute duets with someone who studied music at a college level
You can try alto flute for the first time 
And feel humbled 
And remember what it was like to pick up a flute for the first time  
Like playing softball with teens
You can hit the ball on your second go at bat
And make it to third base twice! 
You can end the day
Feeling accomplished 
And a little wiped 
But proud of the knowledge
You got up and 
Did the thing. 

The bliss of floating on a lake
On a hot summer's day
While in the blue up above
Puffy clouds sail on by  

The thrill of running 16km / 10 miles 
The excitement and fear of seeing a bear
The hairs on my arms and the back of my neck
Sensed it before my consciousness did 
It was a baby 
I wanted to take a photo
But I didn't know where her mama was 
I didn't want to wait to find out
So I kept on running
Trying not to imagine possible headlines 
The air was warm 
I finished feeling good 
The joy of a runner's high! 

The thrill of the 8 day play
The astonishment of first-time actors 
Learning lines and blocking 
In mere days 
And then stepping on to the stage
The way they are still a little self-conscious 
Testing out this thing of the 
Audience response 
The way their friends cheer for them 
The way their spirits soar when they get a laugh
When they nail the scene and remember all the lines
And where to move 
The way they bow 
The thrill of it all 
​Beginning