This is my new friend, Rachel...and here's a bit about her.
17th August 1986
A Bronze Pig Statue, Rachel, is unveiled at Seattle's Pike Place Market,
just about 3 months shy of my birthday.
She's a Leo.
I'm a Sagittarius.
("Both Fire Signs are dynamic and enjoy life.")
Every year, Rachel collects approximately $6,000 - $9,000 for social services.
Yeah, that's right...
She's a do-gooder.
A philanthro-pig.
Rachel was experiencing the shock of her life.
She was hit by a taxi cab in a traffic accident, and fell over on her side.
She had to leave her home at the market - the only home she's ever known-
to recuperate. In her absence, she was missed dearly.
She came back, after only a few days away, with a new lease on life.
She suddenly understood how fragile life can be...
How we never really know where we will be on any given day...
(That we may not in fact be where we think we're "supposed to be".)
You never know...
who will come through to say, "Hello!",
or take a photo with you, smiling...
Every day is a surprise. Every visitor is a friend.
Some may come and go, quickly...
just passing through.
Some may give you a penny, a nickel, or a dime...
a wish.
Others might give you a special moment...
A memory...or a collection of memories...
that you really can't put a price on.
And no piggy bank could contain it.
just about 3 months shy of my birthday.
She's a Leo.
I'm a Sagittarius.
("Both Fire Signs are dynamic and enjoy life.")
Every year, Rachel collects approximately $6,000 - $9,000 for social services.
Yeah, that's right...
She's a do-gooder.
A philanthro-pig.
5th February 2011
While I was busy decorating my 9th living space within a 7 year-span,Rachel was experiencing the shock of her life.
She was hit by a taxi cab in a traffic accident, and fell over on her side.
She had to leave her home at the market - the only home she's ever known-
to recuperate. In her absence, she was missed dearly.
She came back, after only a few days away, with a new lease on life.
She suddenly understood how fragile life can be...
How we never really know where we will be on any given day...
(That we may not in fact be where we think we're "supposed to be".)
You never know...
who will come through to say, "Hello!",
or take a photo with you, smiling...
Every day is a surprise. Every visitor is a friend.
Some may come and go, quickly...
just passing through.
Some may give you a penny, a nickel, or a dime...
a wish.
Others might give you a special moment...
A memory...or a collection of memories...
that you really can't put a price on.
And no piggy bank could contain it.
28th March 2012
I met Rachel at Seattle's Pike Place Market while vacationing in Washington.
I lit up the second I saw her.
We made an instant connection.
I big-hog-hugged her.
It was awesome.
See!
Rachel and I are also quarter century sisters.
This got me thinking:
I wonder if a 550 pound pig statue can have a Quarter Life Crisis too...
Turning 25 has brought to the surface so many questions:
What career do I choose?
What's my long-term career plan?
What kind of partner do I want to marry someday?
Do I want children later in life?
Where do I want to live? Where can I live? Where do I refuse to live?
What do I truly value and believe in?
Who are my real friends - the ones worth investing in?
What kind of crazy things have I dreamt up but have not gotten to do yet?
What are my big goals for self-improvement this year?
My mind has been in hyper-overdrive over the last couple of months.
I moved for a 10th time,
had an epiphany or three,
and took a much needed vacation to Washington.
The vacation reminded me of something very, very important...
to get back in the moment, and let the future unfold as it will.
Remembering to do that was really sobering.
At least for the time being, I'm not plagued by all the quarter-life crisis questions.
Asking them is perfectly healthy.
Overthinking them is not.
Patience.
The answers will come.
I lit up the second I saw her.
We made an instant connection.
I big-hog-hugged her.
It was awesome.
See!
Rachel and I are also quarter century sisters.
This got me thinking:
I wonder if a 550 pound pig statue can have a Quarter Life Crisis too...
Turning 25 has brought to the surface so many questions:
What career do I choose?
What's my long-term career plan?
What kind of partner do I want to marry someday?
Do I want children later in life?
Where do I want to live? Where can I live? Where do I refuse to live?
What do I truly value and believe in?
Who are my real friends - the ones worth investing in?
What kind of crazy things have I dreamt up but have not gotten to do yet?
What are my big goals for self-improvement this year?
My mind has been in hyper-overdrive over the last couple of months.
I moved for a 10th time,
had an epiphany or three,
and took a much needed vacation to Washington.
The vacation reminded me of something very, very important...
to get back in the moment, and let the future unfold as it will.
Remembering to do that was really sobering.
At least for the time being, I'm not plagued by all the quarter-life crisis questions.
Asking them is perfectly healthy.
Overthinking them is not.
Patience.
The answers will come.
