life. faithful.

This isn't one of the counts I ever thought about keeping, the number of years since we last saw Michael. This year has been a rough one. As most people know, my wedding was moved to January so that my big brother would be there. I'll never regret that change because I don't want to imagine the other scenario. I have to admit, though, it's tough when your wedding day is also the last day you were with your big brother . I think I've been in a bit of a funk since January 3rd. I don't know why this year has been so hard. Maybe it's just because this is one of those "mile marker" type years...15. I've found myself being moody and contemplative and even a bit weepy at times, and I don't dare tell people what the heck is wrong with me...because then come the awkward silences and looks of pity that make me crazy. I saw this post one time, and it is a great picture of grief. It seems like the world thinks that after some set amount of time h...

This world can be a pretty ugly place sometimes. It's easy to start thinking that the bad stuff is all there is, to get so bombarded by all the ugliness that we forget the world is also breathtakingly beautiful. So in honor of that: Dirt roads. They remind me that it's not always a good idea to rush though life. Sometimes you need to take things slow.  Friends. I've had some pretty great ones through the years. I'm not necessarily still in touch with all of them, but they've all left impressions on my heart that have changed who I might have become otherwise. Summer. Working in an office that leaves my hands like ice cubes every day even makes me grateful for the southern heat. Puppies, even the ones that slobber all over everything. If you need to be reminded that you don't have to take yourself seriously all the time, play with a puppy. Kids, even the stubborn ones. My kids have changed me. They make me crazy, proud, scared, annoyed, amazed, c...