It was good to be home (NC) over the holiday weekend. My train ride to Richmond on Thursday night was uneventful and I loved it. The car was mostly empty and it allowed me to catch up on some note writing and gazing. I arrived in time for dinner, which Mal made perfectly: bbq chicken, corn on the cob, broccoli and a fruit medley of strawberries and blueberries. Mmm. We were able to talk Dave into running out for ice cream later.
The three of us packed the car on Friday morning and drove to NC. I was surprised by the light traffic on the road. Seems that gas prices really took a toll on travel plans this year. That and I also haven't been on the road the past couple of Memorial Days. I've spent them in DC.
We knocked out a lot of Mal's wedding details this weekend. I know that she's feeling better about having some things done and plans made for the next couple weekends and The Day.
I have two more planned trips to NC in the next couple of months- one for vacation in two weeks and the other for the wedding. After that, NC is not on my radar and I have mixed feelings about it. I've always had an NC date on my calendar. For two years I have. In two months I won't. That feels weird.
Drew is leaving for France in September. He's been accepted into a school in Paris that's a big deal. Marie moved in over the weekend. We had a roomy dinner tonight with all four of us (including Matt) present. It was fun. Marie cooked a scrumptious meal. I made dessert.
Drew has asked me to take over his lease and I've agreed. While I probably would have stayed in DC for my job, signing a lease again makes it all the more real. It's a solid deal and I won't be moving again until at least May 2009. It's a bit intimidating, but I think how fast two years has gone and I wonder where I'll be in another two. Here?
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Open Roads
My time with the National Center for Leadership was marked this weekend. We had our graduation and reception on Saturday, which celebrated the end of a nine month journey. I can't believe that it's complete.
I learned a lot about myself and community. At certain points in the program, it was if scales fell off my eyes and my voice grew louder. I appreciate my maker and can see how His character is revealed in each of us. Beauty in nature is revealed daily as is the face of God in mankind. I think we each have attibutes that reveal God and it is by forming relationships and interacting with others that we can see those facets of Him.
I saw them in my fellow Fellows, in my mentor and speakers that visited our group. I saw them also in the directors and my friends who walked beside me over the past nine months.
I felt the love from phone calls from loved ones far away and from personal visits by Mallory, Dave and mom this weekend. They came for the graduation and reception yesterday. I felt so honored that they would visit and offer support as the program wrapped.
I realized something else today. Today's date marks the end of an internal calendar of which was shared with Mike. There are no dates in the future where I'll ever think "oh, today Mike was supposed to be here." He's not on my calendar anymore and the road ahead is only mine.
Two months ago I saw this weekend playing differently. Yet here I am. I'm in my room and my room is in DC. There are no packed boxes surrounding me or U-haul receipts in my pocket. The only suitcase I packed in a car this weekend was my mom's. Mine remains in the closet and is empty. It's there for future travels that will take me from this city and bring me back to an airport a few miles from here.
Tomorrow, I won't be fretting about a new boss or office. Rather, I'll wake up and walk the block to my office and know that it's all fresh and the road is wide before me. My community here is precious to me and I have been reminded of that over and over this weekend. There's work to be done and while I'm uncertain of what it is I pray that it will be revealed.
I'm empowered and have a new perspective. Our days are numbered and it's up to us to make the most of them. So, here I go...
I learned a lot about myself and community. At certain points in the program, it was if scales fell off my eyes and my voice grew louder. I appreciate my maker and can see how His character is revealed in each of us. Beauty in nature is revealed daily as is the face of God in mankind. I think we each have attibutes that reveal God and it is by forming relationships and interacting with others that we can see those facets of Him.
I saw them in my fellow Fellows, in my mentor and speakers that visited our group. I saw them also in the directors and my friends who walked beside me over the past nine months.
I felt the love from phone calls from loved ones far away and from personal visits by Mallory, Dave and mom this weekend. They came for the graduation and reception yesterday. I felt so honored that they would visit and offer support as the program wrapped.
I realized something else today. Today's date marks the end of an internal calendar of which was shared with Mike. There are no dates in the future where I'll ever think "oh, today Mike was supposed to be here." He's not on my calendar anymore and the road ahead is only mine.
Two months ago I saw this weekend playing differently. Yet here I am. I'm in my room and my room is in DC. There are no packed boxes surrounding me or U-haul receipts in my pocket. The only suitcase I packed in a car this weekend was my mom's. Mine remains in the closet and is empty. It's there for future travels that will take me from this city and bring me back to an airport a few miles from here.
Tomorrow, I won't be fretting about a new boss or office. Rather, I'll wake up and walk the block to my office and know that it's all fresh and the road is wide before me. My community here is precious to me and I have been reminded of that over and over this weekend. There's work to be done and while I'm uncertain of what it is I pray that it will be revealed.
I'm empowered and have a new perspective. Our days are numbered and it's up to us to make the most of them. So, here I go...
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Puddles
It's been a little over a month- a month and three days.
I've kept moving lately and have made plans for my summer. I've booked a trip to Florida for vacation. I've bought a ticket to a concert in late June that's in Maryland. I'm looking ahead to a summer of beach trips and a possible visit to NYC. October holds a half-marathon in Richmond, VA, and a ten-miler a couple weeks before in DC.
Life is moving forward. Still... with the morning rays on my eyelids or the dark of night pressing against the window, I'm inwardly reflective. I'm praying for complete peace. I feel it at times, but know that I've a while until it's familiar.
I'm embracing my runs and solo times. During most opportunities I don't take my MP3 player and just listen to myself or chat with God. Or at Him.
The tourists are invading DC and I'm reminded of my first spring and summer here. Everywhere I went, I had my camera in tow. I keep telling myself that I need to just bring it along and go for a walk. I always see things I wish I could capture and share. Isn't it when we share it that it truly becomes real?
I've seen some amazing flowers and it's fun to watch the activities on the Mall. There are sunbathers, dog walkers, runners, couples, singles, babies, dads and footballs. The geese and ducks are all new parents with their goslings and chicks in tow. Precious. I saw a bird bathing in a rain puddle on Monday night. I'm a sucker for bathing birds. I had to stop and watch. They flit and get so exciting as they splash. Seemingly oblivious and at one with the water.
I've two more Wednesdays of my Leadership Fellows group. I can't believe it's been almost nine months since I began the program. I won't know what to do with my free Wednesdays now. It's going to be wonderful! We have a retreat this weekend and then next Saturday is our graduation.
Our new roomy has moved in and Robby has moved down the street to live in an "all boys" house. I think he wants to live in a bachelor-style house one last time before growing up completely. New roomy, Matt, is a nice guy and hung out quite a bit with Drew and I over the weekend. Emily is moving out in about two weeks and our new roomy, Marie, will be moving in. Phew. Talk about many changes!
My role will be shifting at the Council and I'm looking at a position with some more responsibilities and possibilities for travel. At this point, I'm looking forward to embracing those challenges. I'm already looking at two business trips in June- one to Minnesota and another to Florida. We'll see what else piles on the plate.
I've kept moving lately and have made plans for my summer. I've booked a trip to Florida for vacation. I've bought a ticket to a concert in late June that's in Maryland. I'm looking ahead to a summer of beach trips and a possible visit to NYC. October holds a half-marathon in Richmond, VA, and a ten-miler a couple weeks before in DC.
Life is moving forward. Still... with the morning rays on my eyelids or the dark of night pressing against the window, I'm inwardly reflective. I'm praying for complete peace. I feel it at times, but know that I've a while until it's familiar.
I'm embracing my runs and solo times. During most opportunities I don't take my MP3 player and just listen to myself or chat with God. Or at Him.
The tourists are invading DC and I'm reminded of my first spring and summer here. Everywhere I went, I had my camera in tow. I keep telling myself that I need to just bring it along and go for a walk. I always see things I wish I could capture and share. Isn't it when we share it that it truly becomes real?
I've seen some amazing flowers and it's fun to watch the activities on the Mall. There are sunbathers, dog walkers, runners, couples, singles, babies, dads and footballs. The geese and ducks are all new parents with their goslings and chicks in tow. Precious. I saw a bird bathing in a rain puddle on Monday night. I'm a sucker for bathing birds. I had to stop and watch. They flit and get so exciting as they splash. Seemingly oblivious and at one with the water.
I've two more Wednesdays of my Leadership Fellows group. I can't believe it's been almost nine months since I began the program. I won't know what to do with my free Wednesdays now. It's going to be wonderful! We have a retreat this weekend and then next Saturday is our graduation.
Our new roomy has moved in and Robby has moved down the street to live in an "all boys" house. I think he wants to live in a bachelor-style house one last time before growing up completely. New roomy, Matt, is a nice guy and hung out quite a bit with Drew and I over the weekend. Emily is moving out in about two weeks and our new roomy, Marie, will be moving in. Phew. Talk about many changes!
My role will be shifting at the Council and I'm looking at a position with some more responsibilities and possibilities for travel. At this point, I'm looking forward to embracing those challenges. I'm already looking at two business trips in June- one to Minnesota and another to Florida. We'll see what else piles on the plate.
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