[caption id="attachment_518" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Rivers running high"]<a href="http://mikerappaport.net/onevoice/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/DSC_0001.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-518" title="DSC_0001" src="http://mikerappaport.net/onevoice/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/DSC_0001-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>[/caption]

The rivers are running a little higher after the rain the last couple of days here in South Texas.

I'm coming to the end of my two months here, although I'm extending my stay by another 18 days to spend two weeks here with Nicole. I am eager to show her some of the places and things that have touched me during my time here, things that have changed me for the better.

Some of the locations here will always be serene, happy places in my memory. Walking through Hill Country State Natural Area alone, with nothing but the sounds of nature around me, has done amazing things for my personal stress levels.

Today I walked early in the day, which was good because it rained in the afternoon. It's odd after 24 years in Colorado, Nevada and Southern California to be in a place where it rains in the summertime. I suppose it will be good practice for retirement in Georgia.

<!--more-->This summer has opened my mind to many things, but nothing has meant more to me than the gift I received from God earlier this month of being able to let go -- for good -- of all the regrets of my past that plagued me for so many years.

I can look back dispassionately now, but mostly I look ahead toward all the things I want to accomplish in what I am hoping will be at least the final one-third of my life. I'm 60, and if God will give me 30 more years to do the work he has charged me with, I will be a very happy man.

I don't know if coming to Texas was what did it for me, but I don't know that it wasn't either.

That's why long after I leave, I will still love Texas and what has happened to me here.