i stumbled on an old copy of "Desiderata" that a friend copied down and sent me on the backs of two old envelopes. many years ago when i was often sad, and she seemed to have found all the answers. now it seems the tables have turned, as they often do.

"with all it's sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it still is a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy."

i like that bit at the end. in all my years of sober depression, or being depressed, or sad...or whatever...i had convinced myself i was not capable of being happy. i know now that's not true. but often it is easier perhaps to make ourselves believe we can't have or don't want things than to hope for them only to be denied. i did just those things for a very long time. now i'm starting to come out into the sun and see the possibilities.

there really is so much to do, to see, to choose from.

and i'm so thankful i've had the opportunity to see Venice and Florence...and look forward to all the delights awaiting me. whatever they may be.

i send a thought and hope out to you, Kelly. i hope you are well.