Seeing Albuquerque through new eyes

I had an absolutely great time taking my dear friend Kristine & her two precious daughters to my home town, Albuquerque this past week. Showing her where I was raised was like seeing it though new eyes. She got to meet my sweet Granny who I adore, my somewhat flirty granddad who was all about Kristine teasing him back, she got to see the Sandia mountains, she even agreed to ride the world's longest tram that is practically in my parents back yard, heights really are not her thing but she had no problem facing her fear! We ate @ my favorite restaurants, I showed her my high school, told her endless stories of my youth etc. etc.

She embraced all of it even the heights of the tram ride! Well, not all of it! Not the bull snake on my parents driveway, that I would have happily caught if it hadn't been so stinken fast! Other than that she was so supportive, so much fun, she took it all in (except for the snakes) asked questions and truly seemed to enjoy the experience. I love living in Oklahoma but I am not from here and Albuquerque will always be a part of me. I loved being able to share it with someone who had never been there before. My oldest son refers to us as New Mokies and I think that is pretty accurate. We love where we are from but have come to love where we are now.

There are many highlights of our trip that I will remember forever and continually think of fondly & with lots of laughter. Kristine and I had so much girlie fun, the kind of fun I haven't done in who knows how long. She asked me to do her hair & make-up!!! We went shopping, we ate fabulous food, but I think my favorite & most touching part of the trip was taking flowers to my brothers grave with her. She didn't know Jason but she gets how much he meant to me. Kristine jumped in to clean his head stone without hesitation. She poured water on his head stone and cleaned the grass clipping from it with her hands. It was so sweet and meant so much to me. She could of just stood back, she could of stayed in the car, she could of chose to not particpate but instead out of love and with a sincere heart she was right there by my side. I am so glad I decided to include her in my trip home and that she enthusiastically came...it made it very, very special & a trip home I will never forget!