Mahala! Mahala!

The first of September marks a new orbit for my one and only sweet baby girl, Mahala. Love of my life. Incandescent beacon of light. Beloved creator of all her art. 

Her entrance in my life has anchored us to our lifetime vagabond homes, wherever in the world life brings us. Her presence is a constant source of delight and pride, awe and wonder, grace and glory. 

on one of our many memorable travels

As I was journaling this morning I listened to a new interview of Arundhati Roy - international literary star and vocal political activist - a woman of substance whose work Mahala and I admire deeply and read voraciously. 

defining tenderness

Even I was amazed at the number of definitions the Merriam-Webster dictionary listed for this word. 

releasing, relaxing, letting go

Definition of tender

1 :     marked by, responding to, or expressing the softer emotions : fond, loving

• a tender lover

2a :   showing care : considerate, solicitous

• tender regard

b :   highly susceptible to impressions or emotions : impressionable

• a tender conscience

3a :   easily chewed : succulent

b :   having a soft or yielding texture : easily broken, cut, or damaged : delicate, fragile

• tender feet