Well, for all of it's faults in this teenager's eyes, the Willamette Valley in Oregon truly is a beautiful place.

This is a sunset that I see out of my bedroom every cloudless evening. As hard as it is, I think that I got the color right. This is how the eye sees, not the camera. And it is beautiful. I never thought so until going places where clear water and clean air and pristine skies are not a common thing. As much as I hate having lived here all my life, this is beauty as I see it.

And for the first time in years, I think that I am now truly happy. I'm doing things again. You don't realize how far into depression and apathy you can fall until after you've started coming back. I'm seeing again. I'm hearing again. I'm feeling again. I'm not playing bloody video games 90+ hours a week. I think that I'm coming back.

For that, I thank all of you here, those of you who have listened when I needed it, those who have made me smile, made me laugh. It truly is a precious thing to me.

*looks at fading sunset*

Peace.
Peace of mind. Peace of heart. In the spirit, it is the most valuable thing one can have, I think.

*smiles and enjoys the moment...*