Amanda is one of my favorite people in the entire world. Always prolific with the positivity and bubbly with the bombast, she always brings the big squinchy hugs for all of her friends. Her positive, optimistic attitude is contagious. Those who have her affection can count themselves among the luckiest people around.

I am frequently ashamed of my assumptions.

I looked at her and thought "cute"
Heard her speak and thought "bubbly"
Thought her words were "poofy"
Thought of her as a simple
hedonistic epicure decorating
her narrowing of thought
with the cool narcosis
of exotic sanskrit chants.

I started to pay closer attention
after a fiery retort to a sexist comment.

WOW!
-The peaceniknewagehippy
has TEETH!

It was then that I started
to recognize a strength
that my foolish assumptions obscured.
I started to see that this lovely woman
has an abundance of depth to her
and that her passion is poweful
and profound.

The pleasure of our friendship
is infused with the entrancing fragrance
of an affectionate passion
for Life, for Love and for Growth.

The measure of my respect
for this joyful muse
can only be compared
with the distance
of the horizon
and the splendor
of nature.

One of my “Angels”… Amanda is like a party in a box. Just add a liberal helping, stir lightly and add a little heat and you get instant celebration.

Curious and adventuresome she inspires me to be more of me than I’ve ever dared before and she’s brave enough to let me do the same for her. Teacher, student and fellow hell-raiser, I’m thrilled she’s a part of my life.