Life · is · what · it · is · - · What · is · normal?

I hadn't realized how long it had been since I last made any entries here until I had a moment to check and see how everyone was faring (especially those in the storm-ravaged areas of the country.) Hope you are all well and continue to be.

It's strange how being contacted by someone from your past seems to bring out more. Catching up has its moments of laughter and sometimes a few tears; but in the end it makes the heart feel full to know you have been thought of through the years. If we could hear from those who have passed on, I often wonder what my first words would be. There are so many thoughts that run through my head, I think I would just try to say so many things left unsaid that in the end I'm not sure I would make sense until I could breathe and take a moment to realize I was given a true gift. So often we leave things unsaid, believing our thoughts are known to others. I suppose most times they are, but it is wonderful to hear, or have the chance to say the words before it is too late!

Reflections of the past and wishes for the future seem to intermix in an odd way when you hear from someone who was important in your life. It leaves an impression and I have found myself telling those who mean the most to me how truly grateful I am for having them in my life. You just never know what tomorrow will bring and I never again want to have regrets for the things I wanted to say but never did.

I have promised myself I will not leave this life without saying what needs to be said if it is important to me to voice the words.

The last weeks have been rather interesting and in a strange way a salve to my wounded heart.

With all the changes (made with little notice and if not subscribed to LJ news, none) and impending ones, whether mentioned or not to date; I decided to be safe if I wish to keep a copy of my LJ, I had better start dealing with it yesterday!

If something should happen that boots me from LJ and prevents not only access to current entries but my LJ as a whole; or TPTB decide to lock down archives so they can charge a fee to have access to them, I want to know I was prepared.

** Caveat: NOT to be misunderstood, this possibility has not been mentioned or even hinted at YET!!

However, changes have been coming at a swift pace with the aforementioned little or lack of ample notice and I would like to know that I had foreseen this as a possibility and prepared for it.

Additionally, I will be seeking another site to use. While it will not be LJ as we knew it, one as close as possible if there is one that exists! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Should I eventually find one(?), I will let you know where I land (it won't be Kansas or Oz). In the meantime, I am trying to keep a "wait and see" attitude as to what is happening here with hope the impact will not push me out the door. Unfortunately I am not optimistic, quite frankly, which is why I am preparing myself for the Big Boom!

As for anyone on my friends list if you have another site you use, with your permission, I might open accounts and *friend* you to keep in touch. Should anyone not wish me to do so, please let me know. You won't hurt my feelings and I would rather know than impose upon you in this manner.

Here's hoping it will not come to this, but then I had been optimistic at first and didn't foresee what is becoming of LJ!