This is dedicated to the one(s) I love.

This is post number 600. Can you believe it? This blog has now been going since August 2008, and this is the 600th post. I've been waiting to create a 600th post because I wanted it to be something that meant something. I wanted it to be something that people read and we're inspired by, words that changed people, words that meant something. But, I went back to my first blog, the reason for this blog, and I realized that this blog started for me. So I decided I was going to write this blog for me. So, this blog is about the people, in my life, who inspire this blog, who inspire me, and who mean the world to me. [This is dedicated to the one(s) I love.]

This is dedicated to my all over-extended-non-traditional family. Living in Scottsdale, Arizona, Omaha, Nebraska, Malibu, California, Boston, Massachusetts, & Florence, Italy,  I've learned the real definition of a family. It's the people in your life, who regardless of blood line are your everything. It's not necessarily those to whom you are blood-related. It's the ones who make you feel comfortable and loved regardless of where you are. In Arizona, my family is obviously my beautiful and wonderful mom, dad, erin & tom. But not only that. It's Coti and Whitney (even though she's in Utah), it's the entire Urtubey family who will soon be my [non-blood legal] family. It's Brooke&Kelcy who I worked with at Oregano's who still amaze me. In Georiga, it's Lauren. In California, it's Callie, Kate&Kate, in Colorado, its Car-bomb. In Omaha, it's Kristin, Lyndsey, Britt, Alyssa & Adam (& his fam). I've been more than blessed to have extended family all over. They are the ones who will be forever joined with me. They are the ones I turn too when I really need help, someone to listen, someone to care. These are the people that will forever be in my heart. They are the ones I laugh with till I cry, the ones I drink copious amounts of wine with. These people (above) have the hearts of angels, and will always be my guardian angels. They have forever changed me, and molded me into who I am today. Without these people I wouldn't be who, where or what I am today. I am everybit of who they all are. They have made me courageous, strong-willed & motivated. They have shown me what true love means; that regardless of mistakes & faults, that their love will never falter. They have never given up on me, and I know they never will. These people are the greatest people you will ever have the privilege of knowing.

Family is God's daily gift to us, and the easiest thing to do is take that for granted. But one thing I will work daily at, is making sure I never take them for granted. So, this is to my 'family,' thank you for being exactly who you are. Thank you for being in my life, I only hope I can be as much as a blessing to you, as you are to me.

While I'm far away from you, 

I know it's hard for you
Because it's hard for me
And the darkest hour is just before dawn---

"Life" can never be exactly like we want it to be.
I could be satisfied knowing you love me.
But there's one thing I want you to do especially for me---
And it's something that everybody needs.

While I'm far away from you
Whisper a little prayer for me,
Because it's hard for me,
And the darkest hour is just before dawn.

Each night before you go to bed,
Whisper a little prayer for me,
And tell all the stars above---
This is dedicated to the one I love.

What greater thing is there for human souls than to feel that they are joined for life - to be with each other in silent unspeakable memories.  ~George Eliot