An Ode to the waterfront

The details of the picture do not matter, for the hero in disguise who took it knows exactly who they are... (I hope!).

Let me tell you a story... (yay, I like stories!)

There once was this person... augh - forget it. I am not in a story telling mood tonight. Let me just jump to the moral of the story. If I blogged about each and every wonderful moment in this journey, the blog would be pages upon pages upon... well, more pages. But the individual of whom I speak... well, you'll see.

Have you ever heard that quote that says..."if you are really lucky in life you will meet those kinds of people who touch your heart in such a way, their footprints are left right across your heart so that you will never forget them - nor what they've done." Well, the quote doesn't exactly go like that... but close enough. Anyway, she is one of those people - who has forever changed my life by just being a part of it.

She is the kind of person whom I feel blessed to know. She is real, she is genuine, she is funny, and she is truly, "one of a kind." She is one of the only (there are a few, but not many) people who will send a small one or two line email with a joke, following up to see how my first day back on campus was, with an encouraging word (or two or three) or will go to the place she hates the most (the mall) in order to just "hang out". Her knowledge of ETS is profound, she hates being around pathetic numbers of people, and she loves the outdoors. Her artwork and writing is inspiring and her "this is the way it is" attitude is so refreshing. But do you know the greatest thing about it is? She is someone who allows you (or in this case... me) to "be."

She doesn't ask a million questions about parts of my life I wish weren't there and she seems to understand that I am still me - hair or not - better than anyone. Our conversations as we crossed all over the city yesterday were not deep nor profound in any way. They were not religious (technically not religious, certain elements of religion may have come up though) nor probing.

They were interesting, but more importantly... life giving.

I can't describe it really... maybe it was the venting about Church or the serious lack of plan. It could have been the plans put in place for the spring of 2008 or talking of funeral homes and how they brand their water. Whatever it was, it worked. And so, an ode to the waterfront.

Ms. Talented Photographer, I hope you not only recognize your ability for capturing the bigger picture, but the gratitude from those for whom you help to see the bigger picture. While there is beauty in the fence and grass, you have a God given ability to somehow move people to the front row seat of the waterfront... taking control of the boat in which resides the dreams of the future.

And so, with an ode to the waterfront at VanEs, my bus riding companion - an ode to you. May you one day know the grace you bestow.