dancing in the dark

. . . . . breathtakingly clear winter nights.

. . . . . . . . . . hugs that make me feel like I get a little bit lost.

. . . playing with hair.

. . . . . . Greek "support group," nine AM, Monday-Wednesday-Friday.

 . . . . . . . . . . . . . family of all types-- genetic, spiritual, and unspoken.

 . . . letters and those who write them.

 . . . . . . . .old family photos.

 . . . Peanuts.

 . . . . . . . . . . unbridled unashamed laughter.

 . . . . . .righteous anger.

 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . the internet allowing me such quick access to people hundreds or thousands of miles away.

. . . people who challenge me.

 . . . . . . . . . puppy kisses.

 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . the comforting limp weight of a sleeping child against my chest.

 . . . . . pick-up trucks.

 . . . . . . . . . crunchy autumn leaves.

 . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . snuggly cats.

 . . . running water.

 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . a body that doesn't place severe limitations on my life.

 . . . . . . . . . . . soft warm enveloping blankets.

 . . . . . the comfortable smell of a loved one's skin or soap or laundry detergent.

 . . . . . . . . . school breaks.

. . .the almost-burning feel of gorgeous summer sun kissing my skin.

 . . . . . . . bare feet.

 . . . . . . . . . . babies.

 . . . beautiful white- or grey-haired people.

 . . . . . . . . . penguins.

. . . . . . . . . . . beards, goatees, mustaches.

. . . . . brave people.

. . . . . . the reckless colors of spring.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . blood, literally and spiritually.

. . . . . . . . . . . trees.

. . . . . the voluminous amounts of beautiful contrasts in the world.

. . . . . . . tears.

. . . mercy.

. . . . . love.

. . . . . . . tenderness.

. . . . . . . . . . firmness.

 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . my God and His protection, His rescue, His comfort, His constancy, no matter how much I fail . . .