may the breeze kiss me gently through veiled windows; waking me from slumber, prodding me to awake, listen & write

may, i dance in golden grass, arms floating above

may my words be released to you and

may you discern and receive my meaning

may the sun rise over cool mountains, children easily donning jackets over shivering limbs

may the afternoon sun make us strip away the layers of clothing, of emotions, of the walls we create to protect us through the winter

may, i embrace

may i laugh

may i dream

may, i rest

may, i soak up the moments, drawing them into my heart as bread soaks up oil, filling me to saturation;

          my smile broadens as i can barely contain all the joy that has seeped into and permeated my being

may, i forever seek to be whole

may, you take me to the point of remembrance

          a sacrament of body and spirit

                     my anniversary of breath & vitality

may, i flow

you can't even try to be angry when they're covered in chocolate

we don't always come in perfect packages.

but when a man loves us for who we truly are,

it doesn't go unnoticed.

here's to all the influential men in our lives:

little girls changing the world from mccabe russell on Vimeo.

i took mccabe's e-class in the spring and it changed the way that i saw life for me, for my girls, and for the way i would like to impact this world. i'm still trying to figure out how to run a summer camp for girls whilst raising my little ones (anyone want to trade tuition for babysitting?) i think that the course helped me to see how a little bit of love from a kind adult--um, that's me now-- can change the life of a younger person. my leaders when i was a teenager are still some of my greatest heroes and friends.

and now mccabe is offering a sweet e-class just for the little ladies. i say, invest in their future.

meet diego. we met in high school and he continues to be one of the most vibrant, authentic people that i know. i hadn't seen him in over 10 years, i'm happy to see he hasn't changed a wink. he told me that he loved chicken so i made him roasted chicken and potatoes. when i put his plate in front of him, he quietly said, "but jenEka, how will i cut my potatoes?" i quickly cut his food for him to which he replied, "oh, jenEka, you are my KINDEST friend."

and i cried.

having him in our home for an evening brought me to tears several times, overwhelmed by his complete and total goodness. i can't express in words the type of wonderful human he is. you just have to experience him.
in his own words, diego is: "I am Diego Soares - the Mentally , Autistic Brazilian-Born young man from Recife - Brazil , and my 1st Language isPortuguese . i came here to U.S.A. on March 31st - 1997to live here in U.S.A. and i learned the 2nd Language isEnglish . i went to my old American schools like "Dan W. Peterson " and "Orem High School" , i moved here when i was 18-years-old , actually . i had my vision optical on my left eye was operated because i am kind of blind , of course . then i moved here in S.L.C. and i went to "Highland High School" and i graduated in 2000 for 10 years . then , i went to Art School in 2003 for 5 years and i was registered when i was 25 , and the Government was found a new Art School for me because i was getting ready to start learning about Arts because i am a good Student who goes to Art School every day ,too !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am a Bilingual person who speaks 2 Languages are Portuguese (Brazilian Accent)and English (American Accent) , of course . i speak bothof them very much !!!!!!!!!!!! I am a International Student and Artist who goes to Art School ( C.L.A.S.S ) every Tuesday & Wednesday nights at 5 - 6pm and 6 - 8pm for 2 days a week , i take the UTA Bus to school every day , too . i am a kind of Fashion Designer who designs clothes - includes patterned pieces so i can give it to everyone as a Gift likea Present , of course !!!!!!!!!!!!!! i always love to talk very much because i have my own communication skills and i always love to stay in touch with the people like Friends in the whole world !!!!!!!!!!! this is my Religion and i always believe in Religion sometimes , of course ."

and of course, if you're friends with diego, you get lovely pictures in the mail, greek mythological creatures with flowers on their arms, of course.

and there's always plenty of dancing to be had.

in the words of my dear nina, i collect good people.