Sunday Letters

Dear Cabin in PA, I was not looking forward to spending the weekend with you but it ended pretty well. 13 campers, three bedrooms, one bathroom, and a lot of food turned out to be pretty fun. Dear Best Friend, I shot a gun this weekend, actually two guns. Lets just say that for my first gun shooting experience I went with the mentality to "go big or go home". Dear Sweet Cece's, So stoked we found you in PA. That was surprising and delectable. Dear New Job, We start tomorrow. Lets makes this work. Dear All, Do something fun this week.

Peace out.

Jealous?

I have been mulling over some thoughts for the last couple of days and I figured I would actually put up a post of worth or at the very least something more than letters. So maybe this will make sense or at the very least let me lay out my thoughts in words.

I have a lot of talented people in my life. My best friend is the type of teacher that I thrive to be, naturally gorgeous, and incredibly wise. Tennessee can take photographs that earn her money because she is just that great. Her skills at decorating, especially on a tight budget, should place her in a magazine. My roommate is an artist in so many senses of the word; her paintings and stained glass windows filled our place with beauty and worth. Her ability to love, even when others or myself don't make it easy, astounds me. The kid can write in a way that puts the famous word makers to shame and those words flow freely from her mouth like they are as natural as someone else saying "yes". The younger, yet taller, kid knows how to draw and create art with no background or training; she is happy and typically oblivious to the bad in the world. My sister has the life, a good job, a great dog, and an amazing husband. I could go on and tell you about the friends who have full-time jobs, have paid off their loans, and have their lifes figured out- to an extent. I could tell you about a lot.

The thing is, while I love all these people there are times in my life when all of these characteristics and talents make me jealous.

I get jealous because I look at them, whoever they are, and compare my life to theirs and see all the ways I don't match up and I become jealous.

I think we all do that, compare ourselves and we are then faced with the downfall of being human- jealousy.

Sometimes I wonder, if we spend time being jealous do we have time to praise and appreciate others for the talents they have. What if when someone shows me some of their art, reads some of their words to me, or is looking beautiful I simply appreciate them rather than comparing?

The desire to compare ourselves to others can only harm us. We, even if we aren't willing to admit it, desire to be better, perfect, talented, and flawless. Yet, it we were all the same there would be nothing that makes us unique, nothing that is our own and separates us from others, makes us exactly who we are to be- unique.

What if instead of being jealous I am just thankful that the Lord has seen it fit to bless me with wonderful people who reflect Him in so many different ways?

What if I stopped being jealous and instead simply appreciated and saw joy in other?

What if?

Peace.

Sunday Letters

Dear Tennessee, You + me + J. + awesome house= best idea yet. Also, Cece's for breakfast= second best idea. Dear Best Friend, You living 13 hours away= bad idea. Dear New House, Try to make my room bigger in the next few weeks. Dear Sweet Cece's, Your decadent frozen yogurt and toppings may be the expansion of my waistline and the downfall of my bank account when I move to Franklin. Dear 8.5 Drive, I have a sneaky suspicion we will become great friends. Dear All, Good luck with school this week. Dear Rooms, Con Dios no hay tiempo o la opportunidad ser solo. Te amo.

Peace.

Sunday Letters

Dear Chicago Family, it was great having you hear to visit. Roscoe it adorable. Dear Cedar Point, one of the best Tuesdays ever! Next time I will hit the Maverick and Dragster before the day ends. Dear BK, the last week has been kind of crazy for us but it appears we may be on the same page now. Dear Franklin, so stoked to spend the next week with you. Four stars for holding the keys to my next adventure. Dear Rooms, I have my beauty assignment ready when you are. Dear Best Friend, I had a fear you would no longer be my friend after I told you who won SYTYCD. Two thumbs up for still being friends. Dear Evaluation of Quantitative Study Paper for Survey of Research Methodology, if you could finish writing yourself I would really appreciate it. Much obliged.

Peace.

Beauty

If I never saw another sunset would my last be enough to last a lifetime? Did I appreciate the grandeur lighting up the Western sky? The colors that are creativity with names we don't yet know, seen from seven stories high on an ordinary Wednesday. The design we cannot recreate, splayed right outside the gate on a summer night.

What of the sounds that create a beautiful melody? The waves strung together by the conductor of the wind to bring music in the afternoon sun.

Lying on my back, the sounds of life drifting unhindered while the light of warmth teases through the leaves of the melancholy.

And what of the stranger who held the door or the child who cleaned without being asked?

And what of the kids playing unashamed with nary a care as the imaginations lead to the world of make believe?

What of the friend who calls out of the blue and the desire to pursue what could be in a different society?

And what of the love freely given with nothing expected in return?

What is this said and what could this be?

The only word could be beauty.

Beauty in the expected and the unexpected.

Beauty in the things we have yet to understand and understanding in the things we have yet to call beauty.

Beauty in the life and the laugh, in the tears and the sorrow.

Beauty in the then and the now and the soon to be.

Beauty in and around and through.

Beauty

Sunday Letters

Dear Week, you have been insane and have barely offered me enough room to breathe. Lets try to slow down this week, okay? Dear Cousins, You have kept us thoroughly entertained lately with your antics and energy. Dear Pioneer Land, Next time lets try to keep the bees out of the water slides. Being stung in the Black Hole is not my idea of fun. Dear Cedar Point, Get ready, we are coming to attack on Tuesday. Dear BK, Sorry my life has been crazy all week and will be next week too. Thanks for your patience. Dear Nashville, I am liking the idea of moving to you so maybe you should find me a job there. Dear Bed, Nap time.

Peace.

Sunday Letters

Dear Back Deck, you have now been extended. Enjoy your new freedom and revel in the glory of giving me a lovely bruise and knot on my leg. Dear Rooms, your challenge for the week is simply brilliant. You already have me opening my eyes wider and throwing words together effortlessly. Dear Cousins, welcome to the OH. We hope you enjoy your stay with us. We have emergency exits here, there, and through the back. Dear Endless Job Applications, it would be nice it one you would turn up a job. Dear Blueberry Cobbler/Pie, I have never enjoyed you before but tonight you were actually quite good. Dear Right Foot, take care not to cramp up in the middle of the night again. Waking up because of you is not enjoyable or comfortable. Dear Week, be good.

Peace.