Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore

I have to say that this has been a year of change - excellent, fantastic, mind blowing change. As referencing the above title, a wondrous new world has been laid out in front of me. I have left behind the ordinary, and seek the extraordinary. Is there any other way to be?

I have felt like Dorothy so many times this year. My life, like a whirlwind, spun me around, and set me right smack in the middle of possibilities. I approach each new find with awe, respect, and wonder. I look at the new finds with childlike curiosity, realizing that yes - not only does it exist, but all I needed to do to have new experiences is to go get them. Make it happen. No longer am I content to sit on the sidelines and watch the world pass me by. I am no longer afraid.

The year is winding to a conclusion, and I am still thankful. I just had a marvelous Christmas. Remember, I have been around a few years- but I'd rank it highly among some of my fondest experiences. A special thanks to the entire Thomas family for making me feel welcome, and giving me a memory to treasure. Of course, love to my Mom for a fabulous time.  A singular thanks to Duffy Thomas for time spent together, among many other things. I went home with eyes all aglow, and a heart full of happiness.

One of the things that I will talk about in relation to Christmas is Christmas Eve. I got to do something this year that I haven't been able to in quite some time. Earlier in the afternoon, I went to a nice dinner with Duffy and his family, but that evening, I was invited to watch Christmas movies and drink eggnog. Doesn't sound like much, but to me, this is heaven. Bar none. We watched 2 movies, and drank eggnog by the fire. It was special to me.

So, I found my yellow brick road, and the Emerald City. I often think of myself as the Dorothy getting all glamoured up to see the Wizard. Once presented before him, I realize that to get my fondest desire, I need to defeat the Wicked Witch. In my case, the Wicked Witch is not an actual person. The Wicked Witch is years of self doubt, insecurity, and negative perceptions of myself. To overcome that, and achieve my fondest desires is like Dorothy killing the Wicked Witch. And much like Dorothy, there was an immense satisfaction watching my negativity melt away.

Returning to the Emerald City, I show the Wizard that I have defeated the Wicked Witch. I realize that the Wizard (some magical solution) does not exist. The Wizard is merely a man, as my efforts are merely hard work. Glinda the Good Witch reminds me that my heart's desire has been in me all along - there's no place like home. For my life, home represents that feeling inside me. Home is knowing that I had the power all along to make my life better, to take chances, to live to the fullest, to love, to dream - I am my own magic. So, when Dorothy wakes up, and realizes that all of her friends were there, and there is truly no place like home - I think that there is no better place to be than where I am right now. Watching my future unfold before me, my desires open like so many books, my heart seeking what I truly deserve - to love and be loved. To succeed, to climb the highest mountain, and all of those positive cliches I could reference here - that's what it's all about.

So what does 2015 hold? I don't know. I am okay with that. I know that once again,it's going to be a miraculous year. Happy Holidays to one and all.

Until we meet again-
Angie
(In honor of my Grandma - the Little Angel 0:) )