A work in progress.

For two weeks I have been putting this blog post off because I seem to have had no idea where to begin with it. I've done some really cool stuff lately, but every beginning has seemed like the wrong way to begin it.

Now it's May though, and May is the month that traditionally brings the highest highs and the lowest lows for me. So, I need to catch my readers up somehow.

Yesterday, I met a really cool group of people. They ranged around my age, they're all professionals, and they have similar minds and senses of humors to mine. I sorta dug it. They invited me to join them for their meeting this month and "check it out an see if it's my type of thing."

They're a group that says things like "We want to put the fun in fundraising."

I think I'm going to take them up on that offer. One of the things I have said repeatedly lately is that I live and work in a community, where the only people I have met have been through work, people I've ended up writing about. But wait, why can't I make friends with these people?

Isn't that part of who I am? I make friends everywhere I go, (a trait that has been passed from dad, even though I would have denied it as a teenager). I have been struggling with an ability to maintain a professional distance, because are you supposed to become friends with the subjects you may interview for articles?

The answer to me, is yes. Besides, in the words of Uncle Joe, you can get a lot of places in life through hard work and networking.

Some of the stories I have written lately have been fascinating. Did you know, during World War II Pan America Airlines had crews of people building runways an airports? Not something that most people think about.

I found out because I attended a 100 year old man's birthday party. He was a member of that crew. He crossed the equator at midnight Jan. 1, 1941 and the whole crew received what's called a Jupiter Rex award for doing so.

During that birthday party, the man's nephew, a retired editor at a much bigger paper handed me a business card with the words "Pulitzer winner" on it. I'm sure I stood there with my mouth agape and said "I'm honored to be in the presence of greatness." What else could I say?

I've gotten to tag along with the fire department and watch how they train to knock out a structure fire and have had the opportunity learn about gardening methods, and meet everyday farmers who are trying new methods. I got to watch children release balloons in recognition of child abuse awareness and prevention and I've gotten to see the groundbreaking for an addition to a beautiful historic church.

I have made a friend. I walk over to her building every couple of days for a quick smoke break and we got to talking about museums. I think I found a kindred soul there.

I've been exhausted, but exhilarated.

In the coming weeks, I will meet the oldest mother in Wyandot County. I will meet a Christian motorcycle group that gives back to the community, will get to be a farmer for a day and see the everyday inner workings of farm life, and will cover a graduation that will make me cry for my own personal reasons, but also cry for a friend who lost so much.

See, Taylor graduates in 20 days. What happened to my precious little boy? That little boy was fearless from the first day I held him in my arms. From the times he would run around barefoot, to the time he jumped in the pool with no floaties and took off on a bike without me because "he couldnt wait for mom to learn" He told me a couple weeks ago, "I intend to live a life of no regrets." I stood there in awe and said, baby, I hope you do.

He will begin his own adventures, heading to the Army. He will begin his own life without me there to guide his every move or chastise him when he's wrong.

My head still spins with other news. When it came out about why my oldest son is in trouble, I was surprised at how many people supported me. I was surprised at the people that messaged me to let me know they were praying for me because they knew my heart was breaking and at the people who stood up for me and told people who were being judgmental to worry about their own skeletons. 


I want to thank those people, because of them I can keep my head up.

My best friend finally went for answers about her medical problems. I hope the days she is spending confined to a bed with wires taped to her head give her the answers and solutions she needs. I have always been in awe at how peaceful she looks with a camera in hand. This sickness has taken that peace away from her, but I'm hoping the answers are able to put the peace back.

Even if I don't call him every day, I think about my grandpa every day. I really need to make the drive to see him, even if it's just for dinner.

I told you my thoughts are all over the place? Here's an example.

Every May my life has been filled with adventure and sometimes loss. May of three years ago is the last time I hugged Uncle Dave and got to hear his voice. May of two years ago, I was coming back from my first adventure in Spain and getting ready to start my internship. May of last year, I buried my godmother and actually, May is the last time I've been home.

I guess I need to add that to my list of things I need to do. I need to go home and see my Aunt B. I need to hear her wisdom and sit at her kitchen table watching her cook. Maybe that will stop my spinning head.

I finally admitted to some of my friends, I have been dealing with a lot. When I found myself admitting to someone I barely know, "I live and work in a community where I havent really made friends and that's weird for me and lonely,"  I stopped afterwards and asked myself, where the hell did that honesty come from.

See, for years anyone that knows me knows, I try to play the hardass. I pretend I'm that girl that doesn't actually need anyone because I can create my own adventures.

When I am beginning to admit that yes, I can have my own adventures but those memories are much more fun to share with someone, I guess that means I'm a work in progress.