A Warm Winter Night

Sunlight beams through my orange floral shades around 10 a.m. on mornings that I'm lucky, and a precious orange glow like the kind from a jack-o-lantern illuminates my room. Gently, a bright ray falls across my sleeping eyes and resting face. Nature has set the perfect alarm clock. And the most beautiful awakening enters my body and soul. This is one of my favorite morning occurrences. The other exists in moments when Brian's body rests beside mine on a tiny twin bed and I have the pleasure of laying sweet kisses upon his bare, sleeping back.

Some moments are so perfect in between the crammed back packs, hurried legs, and overloaded brains that if I don't stop to acknowledge their gratitude, they get swept away by all of the hustling and bustling. So, I spend my Friday evenings doing something much different than most University of Maryland students: relaxing in my room with a good friend and letting the music, mind, and openness of the night take us wherever it may.

Last night, Lauren and I ventured to a very special place that we have gone once before. This morning, after the sun's most beautiful awakening, I captured a few snap shots to share with you.





There were more words and messages shared, but my camera lost it's life on me! Some of these included, "Laugh hard and often", "Give Hugs", "Give Kisses", "Slow Down. Relax. This too shall pass". In the past we've written phrases including, "What are you waiting for?", "Hug a tree", "Live Your Dreams", and "Sing in the Communal Showers".

May you let the openness of each evening be an opportunity to share with others the grandness of love and adventure.

My Search for Expression

This semester has been a ride of highs and lows, and amongst the lows, my time has been very crowded with obligatory assignments, papers, and meetings. In my search back to myself and away from all things not fulfilling, the most profound lesson I've been learning is that I must re-create the space I once allowed myself to have for reveling, exploration, expression and spontaneity.

Here is an offspring of my dear journey. I hope that you too may create little reminders of the joys you love and need in your daily adventures.





Love,
Rach

flying

joy flies in my window
tickling, teasing, daring me to come out and play

she's very intriguing
and i feel like flirting
so i fly across the sky
and splash paint drops of audacity
for all to see
with no fears of falling
despite the obvious fact that
i cannot fly

inside my room
a dream flies in my window
tickling, teasing, daring me to come out and play
and i say, "okay"