anniversaries and another reason to celebrate

Since my last post, we've come a long way with our grieving. For the rest of my life I'll miss my dear father-in-law, but after 2 months, life without him is starting to feel "normal."

And lately we've had other reasons to be happy and much going on to keep us focused on the positive, such as...

One Year in NOLA
On July 8th, we celebrated the anniversary of our move to New Orleans! It's certainly been a long, difficult year, but the trials and tribulations have only served to make this place feel more like home. In that year our little basement apartment has been a retreat from the madness of Mardi Gras, a secluded studying place, and a comforting haven of relaxation from the stress of the Real World. The city no longer feels intimidating; I know the sidestreets and the shortcuts, the good neighborhoods from the bad, and the intricacies of the public transportation system. We've found the restaurants and bars favored by the locals (although sometimes it's still fun to 'play tourist' and visit the more touristy places), and we've made some good friends. For all of the difficulties this move has presented, all in all I'm so very glad we're here. And there's still 2 years to go before we can even think of moving away, which gives us plenty of time to make more memories, and for this charming city to grow even more dear in our hearts.

Six Years Married
On August 6th, we celebrated six years of marriage! On the one hand, it seems like the time has gone by so quickly, but on the other hand, when I stop and think of all that's happened in those six years, it seems like it's been a lot longer. Since 2004, we've been through an emergency appendectomy, the euthanasia of one of our pets, 3 moves in 2 cities, the purchase of a new car, an extended separation for the sake of my studies, a bachelor's degree, a year of grad school, a year of law school, the formulation and disintegration of 2 bands, and the death of a dearly beloved, just to name a few. And still we love and appreciate one another. My husband is still my best friend and confidant, and for all of my independence and strength, I cannot imagine my life without him. So it goes that we're heading into year seven of this legal, emotional, and intellectual partnership and I haven't any regrets about the path we're traveling together.

And Another Reason to Celebrate
Hubby has made the decision to go back to school! So on August 23rd he'll be starting with me at Tulane. He's going to finish his bachelor's degree in English. We got him in through the School of Continuing Studies, since he's over 25 and has been out of school for so many years. (Which is excellent because it means discounted tuition!) If all goes according to plan, we'll graduate together in 2012! In the meanwhile we can think about where he'll go to grad school, because I've convinced him that to really get anywhere in this modern world one must have more than a bachelor's degree.

All in all, these are exciting times. We've got much going on, and we're both going to be very busy, but I know that we're moving in the right direction, and that the future has many good things in store for us. The hardest part, as usual, is to not loose sight of the present, and to enjoy each day for what goodness it has to offer, instead of focusing too intently on what lies ahead. For while it is all good and well to plan ahead, it's for naught if one doesn't live in the moment, because the future is not guaranteed. So even though it's deathly hot and we're fighting a little fever-bug, I'll count my present blessings and enjoy this Sunday for what it's worth.