Day eighty-eight: the end of an era (or year)

This evening marks my last one at age 38. Tomorrow, it is 39, baby! :)

I have spent this evening reflecting on this past year and the growth that I have done. I have enjoyed being outside with some wine and cheese and watching the sun set. In the past couple of weeks, I have felt increasingly stronger in spirit and reserve.

I have branched out, stretched myself, and grown as a result. I am honing my gut's instinct and trusting it more. I am getting more reflective and trying to check myself if I jump in too quickly. I am feeling more empowered by what I have accomplished and am looking forward to a brighter future.

This evening, the leaves glistened deliciously as the sun was setting, My photos did not capture the hues well enough. As I looked around me, I saw my chiminea and smiled.

My favorite thing about this chiminea, when I picked it out almost 5 years ago, was the people holding hands. I am a vastly different, and hopefully better, person than I was five years ago, but even then, connectedness resonated with me.

Now, my chiminea is cracked, and I will soon need to replace it. I look forward to new fires with my new chiminea...and who knows where I will be in five more years?! You can take the gal out of El Paso, but you can't take the El Paso out of the girl :)

I am respecting the woman I am becoming and the paths she chose to get her here. I am less fearful and more excited about what the world has in store.

Here's to an empowering and wonderful 39th year! To send off 38 in good fashion, tonight I will roast some marshmallows and feed my inner child a little bit more :)