Marking the connections

Magnolia blossom in Oakland, CA - July 2016

When we moved to San Francisco 8 years ago, we were surprised to find a number of magnolia trees. For both of us, magnolia trees were inextricably linked to our idea of the south and Atlanta where we came from. But here they were, thousands of miles away, with their waxy evergreen leaves and white fragrant flowers.

This past week, I discovered that a number of my dance mentors and teachers were here in the Bay Area for a one-week intensive with Anna Halprin. Even though they were completely engaged and processing a deep learning experience, when I reached out to see if we could manage to see each other before they returned to Atlanta, their immediate response was to make that happen.

Today, I sat eating crepes with these old friends on a sunny sidewalk in San Rafael. I took over an hour via train and bus to get there. We caught up - about Spain, marriages and divorces. We shared deep, personal and profound moments of insight from our lives these past years. We shared dreams and visions of the future. We ate chocolate and drank coffee.

Tonight, I am so grateful for those relationships and ties that connect us over time and geography. There are people who touch your core. Some you keep close, call when there is news, share interesting links via emails. Some emerge when you need to remember how small this planet is and how lasting our connections are with each other.

Day 49 - bags packed zero, heart full, time on public transit totally worth it.