"Getting older's not been on my plans"

  Oddly enough, my body has been breaking out more than usual. As a 31 year old, I find it odd when my body says, "Screw you!" And pops out a new pimple. *deep breath* Stress... I equate it to that. Today, on the "hitched" countdown, I have 125 days till I am no longer a single, unwed woman bearing her father's surname. *deep breath*   And to mark this day, white boy and I had our first Pre-Cana (marriage prep) session. 165 questions...about everything. They asked about our place in line of birth, our physical comfort, our financial situation, our ideas of parenting, our religious beliefs, our responsibilities as lovers and bread winners. All the things were not left unturned.   As I sat in the room down the hall from him answering my questions alone, I couldn't help but fill in each circle with ease and joy. Granted, I think I saw my hands shake a little, and my eye certainly twitched a few times at the reality that was taking place; however, I was enjoyi...

  I always tried, growing up, to see if I felt different in certain moments of time. Such as when the clock strikes midnight on my birthday or when it strikes midnight bringing in a new year. Does that one second really feel different? No. Not usually. And that one second isn't truly that significant. But seconds can be significant. In fact, in one second our lives can be completely different.   For the last few months, 6 perhaps, there has been more overwhelming hatred for 2016. It has proven to be a very hard year. I have seen the death of my grandmother, the death of others dear to my friends, rape and murder scattered throughout this world like salt on a wound, natural disasters leaving thousands dead, and the tipping point of a nation that can't seem to get it right.   And as I wax nostalgic, I cringe at the bad, shake my head at the dumbfounded, but then remind myself to embrace and celebrate the good. Because in the midst of all the not good...there is good. The...