A Serious Note

I have, unfortunately, reached that annoying stage in blog-writing that happens every now and again. You know, the point when there's just so stinkin' much to write about that it becomes overwhelming, and then it's easier to just simply avoid posting at all, since it's tricky to know where to begin?

It's a vicious cycle. But, I've got to start somewhere. On a serious note, I'm afraid.

I'm thinking about Joplin today, after last night's tornado. The images of the destruction are overwhelming, and it's a bit difficult to wrap my head around such devastation being so nearby.

Bobby was just in Joplin a couple of weeks ago, working at the damaged St. John's Hospital, staying in a hotel on Rangeline Road that may or may not exist anymore. He worked with many Mercy coworkers who have likely lost their homes or loved ones.

I watched coverage this morning of the latest tragic scenes with a greater sense of sympathy for those affected than I have experienced before. (Maybe it's the proximity? the connections? homeownership? maturity?) We haven't been homeowners for long, but we're proud of our house and have already made memories here...and I cannot imagine what I would feel if we saw our neighborhood flattened, or if we lost our home.

What must it be like to be directly impacted by such an event? I hope I never know.

This Is Life

A friend-of-a-friend of mine used to have this short tagline at the top of her blog:

THIS IS LIFE.

To be honest, that didn't really resonate with me when I first read it a couple of years ago. But, for some reason, that brief sentence has really stuck with me, and the sentiment has made a lot of sense to me in the past few weeks.

I've known for a long time that this spring would be a whirlwind of events and activities.

Buying the house
Working on the house
Moving into the house
Rachel's bridal showers
Rachel's graduation
Rachel and Brice's wedding
Bobby's business trips (plural)
Bobby's football league
Parties/celebrations/weddings for special friends

And, a whirlwind it is. We're in the thick of it now, and the past few weeks have been every bit as hectic as I expected. (But, expected though the packed schedule was, how much can you prepare yourself for busy times, really?)

Those three words have come to mind recently during this busy, busy season. I've found myself thinking, "This is life! This is it! We're living the moments and celebrations that will happen just once in our lifetimes."

You get to buy and move into your first house, just once.
You get to throw a bridal shower for your little sister, just once.
You get to be the Matron of Honor, planning and celebrating your sister's wedding, just once.
You get to share in the joy of the weddings of dear friends, just once.

You get the point.

All of the events taking place in our lives this spring are such BIG things, and our busyness is a good kind of "busy". Still, the packed schedule gets wearisome, and I've felt a bit as though I'm just getting through each week. I don't want to! These are big life moments, each deserving of due recognition as such.

I need to remind myself to take the time to slow down enough to recognize each occasion (...each day...each week...) as the treasured memory it will become.

I can't say for certain what Megan intended by those three little words; maybe I'm way off the mark in my interpretation. But, I'm thankful for the catchphrase that it has become for me...a little reminder to recognize all of the moments that are filling each busy day as the ones that are making up my lifetime.

This is a busy spring.
This is a hectic week.
This is life!

And these days, I'm really living, appreciating, and celebrating it.

Mexican Memories

I just realized, as this Cinco de Mayo comes to a close, that Bobby and I were actually in Mexico on the Riviera Maya less than twelve months ago...though it truly feels like it's been years!

Bobby's been on a business trip this week, so I'm just spending the evening reminiscing about margaritas on the beach, that hot 'South of the Border' sunshine...and having plenty of time to relax with my husband, with nothing to do but enjoy each other's company.

Now, doesn't that sound nice?

It really, really was.

Song of Solomon 2:11-12

¹¹ See! The winter is past; 
the rains are over and gone. 

¹² Flowers appear on the earth; 

   the season of singing has come, 

the cooing of doves 

   is heard in our land.