The Waiting Room Part II

I write suffering from insomnia for my last night in Florida, as if
staying up will stop time. I tucked my mother into bed and feel such
sadness I feel numb. So I will finish a blog I promised to write:
my favorite things about LA. Good to focus on the positive.

Usually when I return to LA after traveling, I feel I am returning to
myself, to my home; I go back expecting the familiar, the comfort of
routine. This time, while I see LA as more my home than ever, I
expect nothing to be comfortable or routine. Despite this
uncertainty, I resolve to embrace and celebrate the following wonders
of LA:

Personal growth and health: My life in LA is never stagnant.
Frustrating and challenging at times, but I always emerge in a better
place.

My Studio and neighborhood: Oddly, despite the frequent change I
experience in this city (career, friends), this is the apartment I
have lived in the longest since leaving my mother's home more-years-
than-I-want-to-bother-counting ago. I love this home, which, for the
time being, is perfect for me: not boxy, walls colors of my
choosing, open space yet easily psychically separated for various
aspects of living, a beautiful balcony, and a recently discovered
sauna (in the building, not my apt, though wouldn't that be amazing
to discover a sauna in your apartment?).

Hiking and Running: Within minutes of my home, I may go on hikes of
various lengths and challenges, escaping the noise of the city in the
quiet of nature.

Desert: And when that is not enough, I can drive out to my friend's
home in Joshua Tree.

Yoga: I love my yoga class, but I know if I ever were not able to
continue in that class due to schedules or moving (either the
instructor or I), I could easily find another great yoga class.
Though doing yoga alone is wonderful, there is nothing like the
energy of a harmonious yoga class.

Possibilities for growth and new endeavors (anyone who wants to join
me for any of these, leave a message or a comment): indoor and
outdoor activities, many schools/classes, dancing, hiking, the merry-
go-round, live music (theater, in my opinion, is a bit lacking),
meditation and spirituality, the new observatory, easy day trips . . ..

Diversity, though admittedly rather segregated still.

Malibu Bluffs and the beaches.

Mulholland Dr., especially on morning drives to my writing group at
UCLA as or on late night rides with no destination.

Trader Joe's: Small yet has all I need, nutritionally.

My friends who keep me company in enjoying all of this (except for
Trader Joe's, where I am usually on my own).

Now that I know where I am going, despite the hour, I will go sit
with my mother, who may be sleeping and just be here.