Early Christmas!!


I received a random text from a sister the other day...  resulting in what I thought was a mysterious exchange of messages.
MR: "What are u and Carl up to this morning?"
ME: "Carl goes 2 wk @ 5p. What's up?"
MR: "Just some plans I was thinking of making that u might want to be a part of. In the middle of something-will get back to u."
ME:  "K"

MR: "Oh, what about tomorrow evening? Plans?"

ME:  "Carl supposed to done w wk at/around 6p. Poss activity, but nothing solid after that."

Few minutes later, received call from her:

MR: Just sent you an email. Can you please take a look at it? Call me back and tell me what you think.

ME:  Okay.

Upon opening message saw the following:

Subject  Fwd: Print Your Tickets Now  (<-- Didn't phase me in the least.. only b/c she's always coming up with creative invites!)

When I realized what it was, I began saying (to no one in particular) "Oh my god" out loud.. repeating 2-3 times. Called her back, when she answered, all I could say was "Oh my god!" MR said she knew how much I enjoy TSO and not been able to make a concert.. so, she bought the tix for me as an early Christmas present.

Only "catch," concert was that night.. and I needed to find someone to go with me!

Sent text to my friend, Yvonne.. acknowledging short notice, asked if she would like to attend concert. Ssaid not that familiar with group; accepted invite.

Eek! Nosebleed!

We had a great view...

Light show

We could feel the heat from those flames (flame throwers??)

Turned out concert ran just shy of 3hrs. Add in time for autographs, we left ~ qtr to 12am! It was awesome.. getting autographs, speaking briefly w each member & shaking hands w a few of them, too!! Even able to get 6 guitar picks.. 4 of which were already autographed.

Waiting in line...  

Phillip (Narrator)

Don't remember last time I had sooo this much fun at a concert!!!

Rumi.. love poetry

Back in the day, a lover introduced me to Jalāl ad-Dīn Muḥammad Rūmī - A 13th-century Persian muslim poet, jurist, theologian, and Sufi mystic. In the English-speaking world, he is simply known as "Rumi.". Fell in love with his work immediately!

I found a few Rumi works that spoke to me, in some fashion.

I am so small I can barely be seen.

How can this great love be inside me?

Look at your eyes.

They are small, but they see enormous things.

- Rumi

ONLY A PERSON WHO RISKS IS FREE

Daddy once told me I'm a risk taker, am always taking gambles.. and more often than not, succeed!
Never thought of myself as a "risk taker," but after some reflection I realized Daddy is correct!
I have taken the following risks:

• being a single-parent at 21
• completing my undergraduate studies.. took me some time, but I did it
• returning to court for increased child support
• pursued/completed my masters via weekend program @ Our Lady of the Lake, commuting to San Antonio while working 40 hrs/week.. Graduated with Honors Cords representative of my induction to the International Sociology Honor Society Alpha Kappa Delta (AKD)
• willingly & passionately facing and/or taking on daunting challenges regarding issues of importance to me

So, as I often do with my search for quotes, etc. I Googled "taking risks" finding a poem that not only speaks to me, it's also tells others who I am...


ONLY A PERSON WHO RISKS IS FREE
by Author Unknown


To laugh is to risk appearing the fool.
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.
To reach for another is to risk involvement.
To expose your ideas, your dreams,
     before a crowd is to risk their loss.
To love is to risk not being loved in return.
To live is to risk dying.
To believe is to risk despair.
To try is to risk failure.
But risks must be taken, because the
     greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.
The people who risk nothing, do nothing,
     have nothing, are nothing.
They may avoid suffering and sorrow,
     but they cannot learn, feel, change,
          grow, love, live.
Chained by their attitudes they are slaves;
     they have forfeited their freedom.
Only a person who risks is free.


~ Page 147 of the book Addiction by Prescription by Joan Gadsby ~