My village...

They say it takes a village to raise a child properly, in my case it took a whole community of fantastic people 22 years to usher me to this moment. I’ve said more good byes in the last 2 months than ever before in my life, some tearful, some quick and some with the twinkle of encouraging hope. A friend of mine said that it was like I was attending my own wake and I think she is right. There was a sadness and celebration that happened simultaneously with the good bye that defines the very nature of the shared relationship.

I’m laying on my couch, which has found a home with Yvonne and I’m so grateful. I get to sleep on my couch one more time before I venture off to a distant land. It’s the little things that catch my breath just long enough for the bigger feeling to take hold these days. I found myself powering through the unmistakable deadline with so much help and support that I was utterly in wonder. How did I get so lucky to be surround by such a great group?

I have been blessed by the Central Coast, because if nothing else it brought me friends that sustained me during all my single and not so single mom adventures. These fine folks helped raise me so I could raise my kids.

I can’t really name each and every one that pushed, encouraged and believed in me when I said I wanted to study abroad, but I hope I took a moment in person to thank you, each one was heartfelt.

Off to Italy for me…a new adventure where I’m never alone because if I look over my shoulder there is a whole lot of people cheering me on.