doodle from Mary, friends who inspire

Got this wonderful cartoon in the mail from Mary Bertke yesterday! With permission from Mary, I've posted it above: I'm in the center, holding my RotK box and tin whistle. Others in the picture: Jeff ("easily IDable because of the mug"), Ruth ("not at all identifiable"), Allison ("I gave her a guitar to help with ID") and Rand, with Rosie sitting cross-legged in front, with a cookie in one hand. Her message: "Gather around you the blessings of the year. Merry Christmas! Thanks for the several ways you've inspired me this year. Mary."

I loved this doodle, not only because I was touched by its message, but also by the time/effort involved in its creation.

Mary, by the way, was largely responsible for inspiring me to start getting into Irish session music. So thank YOU, Mary. :-)

Speaking of inspiration, here are several friends/family who especially inspired me last year:

Luisa, who goes ahead and does things instead of just saying she's going to do them. She's organized (though she'll claim she's not :-)), focussed, incredibly responsible. If she doesn't know how to fix something, she usually tries to figure it out on her own.

Parki, who has the courage to try to change things he isn't happy about (instead of just complaining about them, as many people would do). He's willing to take chances even when he knows he might fail, opts for the risky but ultimately more satisfying route than sticking with the safe and familiar.

My sister Ruth, who somehow manages to find time to do an incredible amount of her own work in the midst of juggling kid/family and household activities, while keeping her family a priority. And she even manages to find time and energy to work out! I feel like a lazy slug in comparison.

My brother-in-law Kaarel. Much of the above applies to him as well. And after a very long day's work, Kaarel will come home and still have the energy/motivation to play with his daughters, help with household stuff, and spend time with Ruth...whereas most people would rather come home and collapse in front of the tv or take a nap, whether or not they have children.

I'm not sure about the rest of you, but I've always found myself drawn to people who inspire me to be a better person. They're active rather than passive, full of their own energy and ideas rather than always relying on others, choosing rather than coasting, looking for the best in every situation, focusing on good futurestuff rather than obsessing on regret and badstuff.

It hasn't been a conscious decision, but as an adult I've found that my closest friends are individuals whom I admire and wish to emulate in some way; I feel lucky to be their friend.

Jeff and I watched some more special features from the extended Return of the King DVD. Holy toledo, are these ever good. We're rationing ourselves to a few at a time. I bawled during the ones we saw last night (especially the one about the last 24 hours of filming).

I still have trouble believing that there are no more LOTR movies to look forward to. I want to do it all over again.

Leaving for Atlanta tomorrow!

Two years ago: I confessed my passion for cookbooks.

Three years ago: I watched Fred Astaire on a Battlestar Galactica episode.

Six years ago: I made chicken stew for my friend Helen and she didn't die from it.

Seven years ago: Urban Tapestry was working on learning an Indigo Girls song and I fed my niece a Barney doll.

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