since better can't be, as friends we'll agree

Bozeman is experiencing the bliss and beauty that is fall. And for once, in a very long while, I remember why I love this town.

Some fun things are going on in my life these days:

1. I got a quasi-promotion at work. I'll be working on a USAID program to begin institutionalizing our hygiene, sanitation, and malaria educational programming in Ministries of Education throughout Africa. I'll be helping manage this (which means travel to Africa is potentially in my future!). I'm terrified and ecstatic. A beautiful mix.

2. I have been working on righting some of my wrongs and mending broken hearts. In two regards, one specifically, it's going beautifully (word of choice today, it seems) well and I am feeling more at peace than I have in years. Another is... at arm's length. Sadly, growth and forgiveness are not linear paths. But love is. And that's enough.

3. While I will walk for graduation in the spring, I will not in fact be graduating. I want to put myself in the best possible place for law and/or grad school and it's looking like I need to retake some classes and focus on continued academic excellence for a few more semesters. So - although not entirely what I had in mind, I do want to have every opportunity available to me (very selfish I realize) and this looks to be the best course of action.

4. I have recently been inspired by the story of Eunice Kennedy and Sargent Shriver. Too often I hear the excuse that there isn't enough time or inspired individuals and then I look to this couple and laugh at the ridiculousness of our generation's assumption. Eunice single handedly developed what is today the Special Olympics. At her house, on her front lawn. Sargent designed the Peace Corps program. He was then appointed as Mr. Poverty after asking Lyndon B. Johnson not to appoint him. In 6 weeks, 6 weeks!, he designed the following programs:
Job Corps
Youth Corps
VISTA (Americorps)
Head Start
Upward Bound
Foster Grandparents
Community Action (think HRDC)
Legal Services
Neighborhood Health Services (Community Clinics)
Indian and Migrant Opportunities

There's always enough time. The power a few committed individuals is not something to be overlooked. Keeping this in mind helps when I come home to an empty house after a 16 hour day. So does all the love and support from my family and friends.

This week has been hard. Really, really hard. But my life is good. Thank you for that.