Melancholy Musings Very Personal, Very Brief Year in Review

2018 was a helluva year! I don't do all of the "New Year Resolutions" but I will say that I will strive to grow, better myself, heal myself, love myself, love others, forgive, face fears and live life fully.
In one year I accomplished so much. In one years time I was able to face fears, write, forgive, make amends, move forward, love, practice patience a little more (this one is a challenge sometimes), make friends, walk away from toxic people and continue on a path to clear my spirit.
I produced 5 Zines, I participated (and sold a piece) in an art gallery show, I participated in First Friday events, I participated in Second Friday events, I participated in Art Festivals and a Zine Festival, I got stickers printed of my art and my photography, I produced Photo books and some included my poetry.
I supported my artist friends, I supported my DJ friends, I supported my foodie friends, I supported small business and local business, I supported my creatives out there by shouting their names from the rooftops, sharing their work with others or purchasing something from them.
I could never have accomplished as much as I did without those who have supported me and cheered me on. I am humbled by the people both near and far, close and distant strangers who always have a kind word or who are willing to help me along this journey. I appreciate you all.
I want to shout out to my daughter Briahna who is my biggest supporter, my rock, my side kick, my helper, my confidante, my counselor, my advisor, my daughter....without her I would be pretty lonely. She is a great help and a great spirit and silly as all hell, which makes me laugh even when I want to cry. Thank you Bri <3. I have made some amazing friends along the way and learned to appreciate them much more with each passing moment. I have strengthened bonds with those I hold dear and learned to appreciate what I have and who I have in my life more and more each day. I just want to say that anything is possible as long as you believe that you can do it. Anything is possible with hard work, determination and positive thought. This next year I will work towards what works for me, what feeds my soul. I will write more, no doubt about that. I will capture more beautiful moments. I will surround myself with nature and let that heal me. I will strengthen bonds and love fierce. The biggest goal that I have at this moment is to write a book. I do not know the subject, I do not know the size. That is what I see for this year thus far. Here is to living life, here is to loving life and here is to being true to you. Shout out to all of my friends and family for hanging around for another year and here is to many more! Peace, Love and Happiness....always!!

A Love Note To The Friends That Have Come And Gone And Those That Remain

This is dedicated to the friends that I have made throughout my life.

Know that I cherish every laugh, every moment, every tear, every disagreement and every thought of you.

Although, I know that nothing lasts forever, my memories will remain as long as I am of sound mind. For the friendships that I currently have, know that I appreciate you being a part of my life. I am grateful for sharing a bond with you, no matter what that bond may be.

As time moves along, we have gotten closer. Others, we have drifted apart. This comes with growth and change. Some of us have moved far away. Some of us, sadly have passed away. Some have started families. Some of us have changed our lives completely. Others have changed our path. We are living the best life that we can, laughing, loving, exploring and creating a life for ourselves. We may not be on the same level as we used to be, we still shared a moment of a life shared.

We have grown and developed into a new person. We have been born again, we have been hurt, we have been awakened, we have been outcast, we have been damaged, we have been saved, we have been loved. We are constantly evolving, hopefully most of us into a better version of ourselves full of potential and love.

There may be a day that we hear a song and it brings back a memory of a shared moment together. Maybe it was a concert, an intimate moment, a laugh fest or an event. We may watch a movie and remember the trip to the movie theatre when we snuck into our first "R" rated movie. We may smell freshly cut grass and remember the time we tumbled down the hill after the janitor mowed the lawn at school. We may see a name that reminds us of our first crush that we only told you about. We may laugh over our memories. We may look fondly on those memories with a sly smile on our face. We may shed a tear for days lost but we will always hold onto those days as a gift. Current friendships are appreciated and cherished. We may hug one another just to let each other know that we care. We may smile at one another to brighten our day. Stolen glances, shy smiles, beaming smiles, warm memories, new memories in the making and a twinkle in the eye. I reflect on my friendships in many ways, both current and past.

I am fortunate that I still have friends from as far back as age 10. I still have friends who were in my life through awkward stages, through dark times and through times of growth. I have friends who have been there for me in ways that no money can buy. I look at times like when I spoke my first poem on the radio. I look at friends who were by my side when my life crumbled. I look at friends who were by my side when I published my first Zine.

I am so grateful for all of you both near and far. And I just wanted to say that I love you all in ways unspoken. I appreciate all of the moments that have passed and moments that have not yet happen. Thank you for being you, thank you for being real and thank you for the memories.

I leave you with some photos of those who have come into my life and that I am grateful for. I missed a lot of faces but they know who they are. I leave you always with peace, love and happiness