re-reading the inauguration speech

"Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends - hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism - these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility - a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.

This is the price and the promise of citizenship.

This is the source of our confidence - the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny."

i love inspired words.

unexpected affinity

a truly enjoyable evening, possibly the best time i'd have this week.

it was all in the name of helping 2 friends explore an idea - a bunch of women, in their 30s, somewhat strangers, in need of a nice meal (always), willing to share their lives - work/careers, relationships, family, their struggles, triumphs, and yes, even that no-carbs diet they've been on for the last year and a half (i have to admit, that one still sticks man.... *heh*).

i felt free and at ease to listen and share, an unexpected affinity with random strangers, and a deep sense of comfort that i'm not alone in this stage of my life, that underneath it all, we are the same.

thank you for the laughter and the sharing, and for just being real. =)