Where would I be without my friends and family to keep me company while I’m on this journey? I’d be terribly lonely! This past week I had quite the active social life and was reminded how wonderful it is to spend time with friends, old and new, in a myriad of ways. It’s so heartwarming to share stories and laughs with those I feel close to. This past week, I was fortunate to be able to spend in-person time with several friends who live in the San Diego area. What a treat! But, I don’t discount the texts and phone calls I receive from my mom, my Tia and others. Technology is such a gift from the standpoint of being able to stay connected to the people we really care about. I feel so blessed and grateful knowing I have many people out there in my corner.

Being “on the road” as I am, days/weeks go by without my having an actual intimate conversation with anyone. I have plenty of contact with people as part of my work day, but that’s not the same as sharing experiences and emotions with those who know me. I admit one of the harder challenges in this journey is not being anywhere long enough to form relationships. I’ve never been one to be comfortable simply having casual conversations. I feel that if I’m going to expend the energy to talk to someone, it should be meaningful — no superficial chitchat for this girl; hence, I can happily live a fairly solitary existence. And, the thing about silence is that I’m able to observe much more happening around me and hear my own thoughts.

This morning, I was up early, as usual, and went for a walk along the shore making my way to a sidewalk coffee shop and took the one and only table on the sidewalk (apparently, it was too early on a Sunday morning for most people). I sat there with my coffee and my lifelong best friend, my journal, and poured my heart out as I breathed in the fresh air and absorbed the sights and sounds. Time becomes non-existent and I am transported to my “happy place”. However, I am not a total recluse because I understand about myself that just being in proximity to other people makes me feel like I’m in the world even if I’m not talking to them. I do enjoy getting out of my apartment and experiencing what the world has to offer.

Speaking of silent companions, meet Teddy. I wrestled with whether I should bring him on the journey or stuff him in a storage box and decided I shouldn’t be completely alone on my journey. It’s a good thing he can’t complain about seating arrangements!

I actually find comfort in having Teddy with me. He can tolerate huge amounts of silence and he’s very low maintenance — no whining or talking back — and, he’s always there if I need a hug. What is it about a teddy bear that can lift one’s spirit? Perhaps it’s because he can touch the child inside of me simply by being there.