This is Dedicated to the Ones I Love.

Be like the bird

that pausing in her flight

a while, on boughs too slight,

feels them give way

beneath her - and yet sings,

knowing that she has wings

-Victor Hugo

My grandmother sent me a bookmark for my birthday, but not just any bookmark. It was a bookmark with inspiration. Victor Hugo's quote, that resonated all too well during last week's slump.

So, life doesn't always go as planned. But there is always some sort of beauty waiting to be realized. And today, I give thanks for the brilliant ladies and gents who inspire me.

To Grammie, who sends bookmarks that change my perspective.

To mom, who is always in my corner. Always.

And dad, who speaks my language.

To Mags, who can close her eyes and disappear into Lauridsen, too, and with whom I can well and truly blend.

To Sweets, who has resolved to uncover the artist-philosopher within.

To Michael, who says, "how are you?" and really means it.

To Gregger, who battles philo-theological dragons in a foreign country.

To my real brothers, Jim & Ted, who make me laugh.

To my surrogate brothers, Dan and Denny, who make me feel loved.

(note: brotherly roles are interchangeable.)

To my littles, who make me feel like I spread a little sparkle.

To B & C, who I think still really know me, even across miles of silence.

To the people who relish beauty, and exude grace, who are silly or smart, esoteric or earthly, who make life worth living, a multi-faceted gem of possibility.

They who make a reclamation of life not only possible, but much more worthwhile.

photos: Under the Wing by Luigino Snidero, flickr.com.winfieldf, Etsy.TheStorque, WeHeartIt.com, pixdaus.com, Morten Lauridsen Lux Aeterna album cover, flickr.hellosunshine.esther, LCTGloriosityWorld'sEndStateParkPA2009, Trina Schart Hyman's St. George and the Dragon, LCTGloriositySleeperPics, jane.unsolvedmysteries.com,Cat in Paper Bag miezekatzen.tumblr.com, flickr.JewelRedux.cinemafia, LCTGloriosityFlowers2010.