Good Friend Medicine

I had a rare delicacy last night. A couple of good friends and I went out for dinner last night at Beltline Bar and had the most delicious conversation. We shared our struggles with depression, with our spouses, with our children and with our selves. We pondered what was in store for us, what might be God's purpose for us in our struggles and His plans for our futures. We laughed and nearly cried several times.

It is so easy to take people for granted, our daily life and our hectic pace make it difficult to "go deep" into each other's sorrow or joy. We tend to have a pat answer, or a giggly hug and avoid the weightier issues of life.

But this deep conversation really made some life changes in us--I could feel the insight deepening as we really shared what was below the surface. We felt stronger knowing we were suffering the same things together, and that we were really not alone, because we took time to really hear where each other is at.

Why do we spurn this good medicine so often? Why do we opt for a movie or tv show that fills our heart full of stranger's problems rather than touch real ones in our own friend's lives Why do we broadcast trivia to other on the web, instead of really listen to our children and our spouse and our neighbor. Why don't we hear what ISNT said among all the friendly banter that we enjoy at work, at church, at home.

I think we would all do better if we shared a meal and our hearts more often.

back to normal

Greg headed out to Oklahoma yesterday so its back to the routine when Greg leaves. There is a certain realignment that takes place in our home when Greg goes back to the truck. (or as Sophie once said--"Daddy, I hate it when you have to go back 'home'" )

The girls usually seem happy, but often Maddie has more trouble getting to sleep. Yesterday she threw a temper tantrum which was partly the fall out from so much birthday attention, and partly from Greg leaving. We go back to doing some school, reading keys for kids at dinner, and letting the house go a little. I finally mowed the lawn, something I hate to waste time doing when he is home for a week.

We go back to the stilted ways of talking on the phone, it is harder to truly communicate when you can't read the non-verbal cues, the eye-contact, the postures. You never know how much of your message is conveyed that way until you have to carry on a relationship strictly by voice.

It is not the normal that's ideal, but there is a comfort in going back to the familiar grind of how we live when he's not home.

Packing for Cedar Point

Last night was the prep night for our Cedar Point trip. While it is unusual to pick a place to visit where we have to drive (Driving is work to truckers) it is going to be a great time. I wandered through the house collecting things that we might need--camera of course, pj's, a travel pillow. In the process I found a large collection of Maddie's underwear in an overnight bag I use when I take the girls to the sitters. Packing is like pretending you already are somewhere and imagining what you will need. So it really helps you get in the mood. I usually don't get excited about vacations until I am packing.