Seven and a half years later...

Not that I keep track...but, for some reason, I can't help but know:
I have now lived on my own for seven and a half years.
I was just telling Allison today, that's longer than I lived at our home in Rancho Santa Margarita.
How crazy is that?

Where am I seven and a half years later?
I am sitting out on my sweet little patio, with a fabulous (might I even say PHENOMENAL!) salad and a glass of wine. It's a beautiful evening as I smile and breathe...and thoroughly enjoy the peacefulness.
My feet are up...my mind is clear.
And I just keep smiling.

This is SO very nice and I appreciate it SO much.

Interestingly,  pre-seven and a half years ago, honestly, I never ONCE sat in my big beautiful backyard (with a pool, built in barbeque, TV by the jacuzzi, view of the world...) and enjoyed a peaceful night with a salad and a glass of wine (and a big smile.)
Never once.

Now, oh so gratefully, I do it quite often.
I sit and breathe.
I relax and listen to the quiet.
I can't stop smiling as I drink in the peace (and the wine) and enjoy this life.

Yep, deep into my EIGHTH year of being on my own, I know I'm the luckiest girl in the world.
Still.

**update**
A girl at work read this post and mentioned to me her very interesting thoughts...
She said, "If you had been 18 when you became single, you'd now be 25...
and probably just ready to start thinking about 'settling down'..."