"Me Marks"

Today I'm feeling a bit melancholy. Fires are burning up beautiful Colorado, specifically The Royal Gorge near Canon City, a place I have always loved. Good memories there with my mother, sisters, nieces and nephews. Then there was another great trip with my brother Wes. He came in from Texas it was the first time we had seen him in years. Colorado as a whole was and is a great state. I've always called it "Gods country". My roots come from Texas but my heart comes from Colorado. I had my first true love there, Got my first car there. It's a place that somehow although it is dear to my heart I don't know if I will venture back for anymore than  a visit. I will go where my heart takes me so who knows.

My cousin Tonna Kay & I

 I find myself though trying to stick close to my home state for my family and the love I have for them. I am old enough to realize that NOW is the time to show love to my people. NOW is the time to find some serenity and a life that I can be proud I took the time to live. I don't want to wake up at 80 and say "what the hell did I do"? I guess I have found an appreciation for my life and the ones that love me. Ahh, That felt good to say that.

My Nicaragua Kids

When I sit and ponder (and I do) what I have accomplished and what mark I may leave behind, I find that it will be pieces of me. There is not much else. The time I spend with friends and family. The late night conversations we have. The times when someone else may have learned from my lesson. The trips I have had around this world. The pics and postcards I have saved in a box. The songs I love to sing and the way I love with all I have. So I will continue to leave these "marks of me". I will sprinkle them around like glitter. In fact I think I'll call them" Me marks". I just imagine someday my nephews & nieces looking in my box,  finding my passport and my treasures from everywhere and saying....Wow Aunt Cheryl left her mark on lots of people and  in lots of places! Maybe that's a mark within itself, showing them that it's ok to go see the world and explore and know that it's a big ol' world and everyone needs someone so reach out.