It's been awhile since I last updated and honestly, it's because I got busy and forgot. Perhaps it's just hard for me to pin down exactly what I think would be worthy of a post. Or, something shiny floated by and my thoughts on writing become preoccupied...that's probably the closest thing to the truth.
ANYWAYS....I have been well. January was a chaotic month. Nativity House did not follow it's usual routine of having a slow first couple of weeks due to welfare checks arriving, followed by a steady rush of chaos at the end. Instead, it was crazy the whole way through. I can honestly say that I learned so much during the month, perhaps more than any other. To briefly recap--2 people (in the same day) had seizures in my arms, I was able to participate in a few drug busts, at least one of my "boyfriends" went to jail (or violated probation and will be going), I joined a gym, became an unofficial personal trainer, and visited friends and family in Michigan for 2 weeks.
It was really great to visit people in MI, but I'm so happy to be back in Washington. I think the "Snowpocalypse" was the key factor that made me realize I don't want to live in Michigan. Oh, and everyone asked me about the weather out here. Let me clarify--yes, it rains. However, it's not nearly as much or horrible as you are picturing. Imagine walking through the tail end of an obnoxious sprinkler that sprays all over the sidewalk you're trying to walk on. You get wet, but not really. Instead, you get misty...that's the weather in Tacoma. Serious.
In other news...I've met a new boyfriend. He's a little different from the others, but all the more special. His name is Milo. He's this 70-year-old black man with the most beautiful blue eyes. He's led a rough life including spending nearly 40 years in prison, but he considers himself a blessed man. He prefers to sleep outdoors so as to be closer to nature and refuses to live alone in an apartment. My day is not complete without seeing Milo.
Everyday that Milo comes into Nativity he yells "Honey, I'm home" as soon as he sees me. He constantly asks me to read him stories, and I usually oblige. He also really likes to bring me "gifts." These are generally found items, but I cherish them all the same. I've collected some youth wide receiver gloves, a Mickey Mouse cake topper (who came with me to MI and got his picture in a snow bank) and a Happy Meal toy. His reasoning..."I thought of you when I saw this and figured you would like it."
So, I've pretty much decided...who needs a real boyfriend when you've got an older man who's so full of life (except when he sleeps. "You've gotta sleep with one eye open when you're my age cause death is always creeping around the corner") and is definitely in the running for the person who brings the most uninhibited joy in my daily journey. I think we should all be so lucky to know someone like Milo.
