Week 36: 24

Week 36: 24...So much to say about today...where to start...where to start?

First of all, the picture of 24 came from Old Town here in my hometown...taken, of course, at my favorite time of day...and it's one of my favorite flowers: the poppy. I love this picture because I relate to the poppy bud. I have yet to raise my head and share all of the beauty and thankfulness and joy and radiance that I hold inside...but I’m getting there.

Just a little more of the warm sunshine...just a little more rain...just a little more nurture...just a little more of the earth surging up and permeating my heart until I burst out...

Today, April 1st, is a very special day for me. It’s my five year anniversary. Yes. You read that right. Five years ago, I made a pledge to God that I would live for Him and love Him more entirely than I had before...What prompted that? Well, exactly one year before, my marriage hit the skids in a series of pretty dramatic events. Most of you know the story. I won’t bore you.

I was 24 when all of this happened.

What has resulted is one of the most amazing adventures I couldn’t have dreamed up on my own. No. Someone far bigger and greater has taken me by the hand and shown me a big, awesome, beautiful world that shouts: “I love you ” in millions of ways. I don’t have the time or the patience or the fortitude to list the millions, so I’ve decided to list 24...in no particular order.

1. I started throwing crazy parties like: “Tacky Tourist,” “Reject Bridesmaid & Ugly Prom Dress,” and “Pirate Soiree.”

2. I reunited with old CCBC friends in Hawaii...and New Mexico...and California...and Georgia.

3. I painted my crazy room with 6 walls, 7 doors and 0 windows a total of 7 different colors...and christened it “The Kasbah.”

4. I fell in love with MAC make-up...and made others follow suit.

5. I cut off a bunch of my hair and dyed it black with purple streaks...and loved it.

6. I lost more than 60 pounds...some of which I have found again, but I’m healthier now than I was in my mid-twenties.

7. I hiked to Hanakapi’ai Beach.

8. I fell in love with photography.

9. I went to art school and got a diploma.

10. I have been back to Kauai twice since moving away in 2005...And I’ve traveled to Arizona, Colorado, California, South Carolina, Georgia, and Oregon to visit friends...all in the last 4 years.

11. My photography has taken me to the Caribbean and the Deep South for wedding jobs...both of which I loved.

12. I learned how to live alone and not be lonely.

13. I got to work at Homes of Hope’s Fiji campus for 3 months.

14. I’ve been hiking with my dad.

15. I learned how to roll sushi with my mom.

16. I’ve experienced autumn 3 times in the last 4 years...something I missed for 6 years.

17. I started adventures in photography with Wahkuna that have filled my lens in Kauai, San Diego, Durango, Santa Fe, Portland and Albuquerque.

18. I’ve spent time with my 3 best friends from high school.

19. I learned what church family really means.

20. I have reevaluated and firmly established my respect and appreciation for marriage.

21. I have learned that there are men out there who know their own minds and know how to make decisions and who want to be committed to something they believe in.

22. I’ve been given a gorgeous namesake niece...and I’ve completely enjoyed being Aunty.

23. I’ve committed myself to things I believe in.

24. I’ve learned to hope.

The slideshow below features 24 slides that correspond to the 24 things I just listed above. Please to enjoy!