Last weekend was one of the best and the most relaxing weekends I have had in a long time.
Where was I? you ask. On a warm beach in Mexico? On a cruise in the Caribbean? No, I was in cold and rainy Virginia, and I loved every minute of it. Should I mention that I went by myself? No kids. Really, I didn't know what to do with myself. I got on the plane and I felt so empty handed. I sat down with my book and thought to myself, o.k. there is something else I should be doing here. And there wasn't! For once in a long time I was able to order coffee right away without the fear of spilling scalding hot liquid over my lap or, heaven forbid, the lap of someone else. Other than a bit of anxiety for leaving my kids and my hubby behind, I sat back and just knew it was going to be a great weekend. It didn't disappoint.
It started out with two of my best friends picking me up from the airport and heading out for a night on the town. Let's just say we aren't 23 any more! We were sitting at a nice lounge surrounded by a bunch of young up and comings (you know, the typical D.C. type) and our discussion ranged from how we clean our shower stalls to Beth Moore to private vs. public school. If those around us only knew! Wow, we stayed up way too late! Remember, I didn't have kids but those I stayed with did! Oops!! We made sure to schedule in some
nap time the next day. See, I told you were weren't 23 anymore! On Thursday and Saturday night, I was able to get together with some girlfriends for good
ol' Girls' Night Outs. It was wonderful to see these women and be reminded again of the great blessing of Christian friendship.
As I boarded the plane on Sunday afternoon, I looked back at the past few days and did get a little choked up. It was hard to say goodbye. Even though I talk to these friends on the phone, there is nothing like sitting face to face in your comfy clothes with a cup of coffee and talk about everything to nothing at all. These are women that have seen me grow from a newly married to a momma of three. We have cried together and laughed so hard that we've cried. Our kids love each other and our hubbies enjoy spending time together (that's huge!).
Yep, it was hard to say goodbye again. If you have read my blog for any period of time, you may have noticed that this past
year has been a bit tough for me
emotionally because of the move. So this trip was good for me in many ways, one of them being it helped me let go. No way will I let go of those friendships, not for a million years. (I hope we have mansions in Glory next to each other!) It helped me realize that Virginia isn't home anymore. My home is here in Kansas (gulp!). I look past over the last year and I think I wasn't really ready to say that until just now. I was unwilling to let myself feel that. I was afraid if I did then I would be too sad. I didn't want to invest the time and energy to plant any roots. But, this weekend reiterated that no matter the miles, these friends aren't just friends that will come and go, but will be friends no matter where the journey takes any one of us.
As I pulled into my garage on Sunday night I whispered, "God, thank you for bringing me home."
