this love

the Dalai Lama:
When we feel love and kindness toward others, it not only makes others feel loved and cared for, but it helps us also to develop inner happiness and peace.

i cannot say just how much i have felt loved this week. in so many ways, both small and grand, i have found myself surrounded and hugged by people whose intention is to love me. i am completely humbled by this. i cannot say i am gracious, but certainly try to return to gratitude with it. this is not something i have consciously been aware of before in my life. it is new, and it is lovely.

if this is what the fifties feel like, i think i'm gonna love 'em.