over the past week, i have enjoyed a lovely vacation in boston where i have had the privilege of spending time with three such friends:
adriane and i met in middle school. we were in separate grades and although we ran in different circles, we gradually bonded through band competitions and choir trips to new york city. when adriane graduated from high school, we were (un)affectionately known in our little group of friends as the giddy patrol. we were always smiling, always giggling, always having fun together.
sean and i met in college. he was friends with my roommate's crush. the four of us (me, my roommate, her crush, and sean) became fast friends our freshman year. most of my early college memories revolve around the four of us getting ourselves into trouble in one way or another. whether it was sean and greg sneaking onto our dorm roof to escape pledging craziness, saving sean and kelly from drowning in the river, or jumping into the pond at our seventh and final formal together, well, we were living life to the fullest.
charlie and i met a couple years ago at a mutual friend's wedding. i had heard his name consistently for at least five years, but had never met him. instantly, i knew this guy was someone i could appreciate. he could carry on worthwhile conversation, liked to people watch as much as i did, and his facial expressions and good humor kept me laughing most of the night. as much fun as we had that night, i wondered if i would see this new friend again. luckily, i have.i could have been anywhere this past week - boston, buckhannon, or buckeye lake. what made this vacation so soul swelling was the friends who accompanied me on the little journey. i went to bed early and woke up late, but in between those times i spent time with friends who have allowed me the ebb and flow that comes with growing up.
during this vacation my body rested and my soul stretched, but tomorrow i head back to the village. in six hours i will board a plane and return to a lifestyle that stresses my psyche and tires my feet. i will rush into the office to make the necessary changes to the weekly newsletter before going to print at 9am. then i will put the finishing touches on my presentation for class before going to a staff meeting that will take most of the rest of the morning. i will grab lunch, teach class, and have just enough time at the end of the day to skim through the pile of mail that is surely waiting at my desk.
my prayer is this... that God would quiet my mind long enough to enjoy the last few hours i have of freedom and that i might remember that my life was made for more than work. my life was made for friendship and adventure and love and laughter. may God remind me of those times spent as a giddy little girl with adriane and a trouble-making teenager with sean because healthy doses of those will help me to one day become the unforgettable woman i was created to be.
