They say that the best things in life are worth fighting for, they're hard to get, they involve intense struggles.

At the end of my summer, here in the last days of July, I'm exhausted. The highs and lows of my 25th year have all happened within this two month time frame. I'm still reeling.

The good news is I'm learning my own strength, that I can withstand more than I ever imagined, that I am capable of communicating even when I try to run away and am prevented from it. My life of conflict avoidance is officially over. By force or by choice? Not sure. Maybe some of both.

I'm sitting here in front of my computer in my own home and I'm happy and sad all at once. Relieved to be home. Sad to be alone. Yet blessed to know and feel that I am loved, even from a distance.

I will spend the next three nights in my own bed, a novelty for this summer, effectively doubling the nights spent in my dear bed since June.

Though I'm not sure I'm ready to go back to work and climb the mountain of work I left in my wake as I sped toward summer break, I start officially on Sunday by flying to Denver for a Librarian Conference concerning my favorite part of my job -- Reference. We're a dying breed, us Reference Librarians, and the purpose of this gathering is to begin a change in what we do, how we operate. It's actually exciting to me, but my tiredness at present is keeping my enthusiasm in check.

Thanks for putting up with a really lame summer of posts from me. I promise to do better as the year (my school year) begins.

I have so much to be thankful for--most of which I was able to see, smell, and touch this summer: nieces, family, dear friends, my heart's home (the desert), my soul's home (the beach), my parents' home...the list goes on.

Every one who reads this, know that I appreciate you individually for who you are, for what you have brought to my life. Thank you.