I Felt Love Today

On this day, there is love, and commercialism, in the air. The day has a long and storied history, but it can also be a simple day of love. With so many different types of love, and so many different types of people, it helps to remember that deep down we are the all the same. We love and are loved.

I had a simple, and yet beautiful, day visiting friends and playing tourist in Albuquerque. I felt many types of love today.

I talked to my father on the phone and was grateful for a father’s love.

I talked to my mother on the phone and was grateful for a mother’s love.

I spent the day in a city I love.

I watched the sunset from an old familiar spot, loving beauty and moments of silence.

I caught up with an old friend and her husband, spending the morning in the presence of a couple who clearly love each other. I relished how an old friendship ebbs and flows and how lucky I am to still be connected to this friend and her family.

I visited a favorite old bookstore and spent a leisurely half hour browsing and discovering and learning. The shelves are overflowing, boxes stacked with classics in the back, and always in the jumble I seem to find a title that speaks to my heart.

I ate breakfast with the friend and her husband at a local restaurant, enjoying a lovely ritual of sharing food and company.

I caught up with a new friend and pondered new directions.

I met another friend for a drink, loving the time of beer and toasting friendship.

I went for a run with a different friend, wondering at the magic of a day filled with “friend appointments” which are the best kind to schedule and keep.

I looked forward to plans that I made for the rest of the weekend, grateful for the gifts of anticipation and joy and an extra day.

I went for a walk, aimlessly wandering, watching people, and not getting lost in a neighborhood where I felt at home, loving the sense of place I feel here.

I struck up a conversation with a stranger and felt thankful for curious hearts and kind words.

I chatted with a man running a small compost business, eager to talk shop and to make connections.

I spent part of the afternoon alone, glad that I can enjoy my own company and soak up the valuable gift of solitude.

I tentatively dipped my toe into the dating pool, realizing my heart is eager for new lessons.

I enjoyed the goose bumps on my short-sleeved arms and smelled the optimism of spring, along with the promise of more winter.

I wrote this before the day ended, knowing there were still more adventures left to love in the day. I loved the act of writing, knowing that some days the words fly and are beautiful, and other days, like today, it is enough to write.

I took slow steps and fast steps, on an ordinary, yet extraordinary, day.

I said a prayer and took a breath, loving weekend vacations, friendship, beauty, solitude, togetherness, wisdom, openness, and love.