On memories, family, heroes.

I had a nice trip this weekend. I seldom miss living in Topeka, but I do miss a few things about it. Most of those things are people. On Saturday I got the best kind of reminder about the people I used to know. We had some good times back when, and it was nice to gather and fondly remember some of them: Lindsey spanking things, catch 21's, draining spoons, and all sorts of other gibberish that doesn't make much sense from the outside. Looking back on those memories they seem like a lifetime ago, but for an hour or two the other night, they weren't so far off.

On Sunday I went to the first birthday party for Regina and Jeremy's beautiful baby girl Hannah. Erica and David were there, along with other assorted friends and family. It always feels good to be with Erica and Regina. I have lots of good friends, but these girls are special. There are some friends you just know are for life. Those two know everything there is to know about me, all my flaws and dark secrets, and for some reason they still like me. Never mind the distance, what's 1400 miles when there are such friends to be had? Months pass between our visits, but we always pick up just where we left off. I don't know exactly how I came to have two such amazing women as a part of my world, but I'm grateful.

Outside of those two events, I spent my time with my family. Mom and I went purse shopping on Friday night when I got to town. I came by my love for purses and shoes honestly. :) On Saturday we went for brunch at my aunt Linda's house. We had a nice time puttering around the house and eating bagels and mini quiches. On Sunday Mom, Rich, Ricky and I took a picnic to the lake, although by the time we got out there it was overcast and windy. Honestly, though, I didn't mind. I don't particularly care what we do, I just like being with them. I know I'll never regret time spent with my family. It's the most important thing.

I don't care for flying. Have I mentioned that? Well, Monday was a little stormy around the central part of the country, and flights were bumpy. Once we're up to cruising and I can get up and stretch my legs a bit, I'm good, so long as it's not too bouncy. But if it's shaky during takeoff, so am I. Well, as I was sitting in the Denver airport, Steve, who is a colleague of Luis's as well as a friend of ours, walked by. He sat down next to me, and it turned out that not only were we on the same flight, we were in adjoining seats. I forewarned him that I'm not keen on flying, and also warned him that was probably a gross understatement. After delays boarding and taking off, due to microburst activity and lightning, I was - er, slightly less than composed. As our little regional jet took off into the bumpy skies, do you know what he did? He held my hand. That qualifies him as a hero to me. I almost always fly alone, and it was so nice having someone there. He's a good guy.