SassyBlonde

Life is always changing, bringing sudden if not unexpected shifts that can change the scope of your world.

This morning I said goodbye to The Muse for a while. Today she's making the long drive to move back home to Alabama for grad school: maybe not a permanent shift, but still it takes her out of my little circle of DC girls for the forseeable future. I wanted to be strong and smiling when she left my doorstep this morning, but at the last moment I found tears welling up in my eyes as we stood at the back door to embrace. (Nevermind that I'll see her in Birmingham in a month.)

You see, I have a lot to thank her for this past year. When she moved up here, I was in the middle of another big transition/decision, and having her around to lean on kept me sane. Having her here reminded me, the perpetual hermit, of the joys of hanging out with your girlfriends and that it takes time, patience, and intelligent work not only to play the flute or grow a garden, but to grow a friendship.

However, as much as I'll miss her, I'm glad for her that she's going back. She's starting a new chapter in her life as well as returning to the old one, and at the end of today's long drive she goes to the warm embrace of my sister, her other best friend. So tonight I will raise a glass of Morgan Creek Magnolia Muscadine to the Muse as she treks homeward to the South, to home and family, church and tradition, and rejoice that she's back in the place that gives her such joy and inspiration, even if it's only for a while.

I'll miss you, girl. Now Turn it up.