Friends

*I forgot to write Sunday Letters this week so if you noticed my apologies...

For the past two years I have led a quasi-nomadic life. Bouncing from place to place, between family and friends, but also learning a lot every stepping of the way. I have seen friendships strengthened, sisters become friendsters (yes, angry red line I see you but I am choosing to ignore you for the pleasure of making up words), and possibilities become goals. There have been new relationships started while other dwindle away and now I am in a place where I don't regret any of it (well, except for that chai tea last night because then I couldn't fall asleep until 2 am).

After almost two years we are here. Well, not really here since I am actually back in the MO writing this from my best friends guest room (hey...) but nonetheless, "here". In a week and a half I will make another big move, this time to somewhere new and full of country music. So what have all of these changes taught me? Friends.

There have been times in the last two years where I have lived hundreds of miles away from some of my closest friends, there have been times when I have lived two miles away. There have been lots of times.

After spending yesterday with two wonderful people, I am even more appreciative (aside: I think this word has too many vowels, just sayin') of the friends I have been blessed to have. And maybe, just maybe I don't tell them that much very much. So it may sound a little cheesy, but thank you, for your friendship, your wisdom, and sharing life these past several years. I can say that I don't think I would be where I am right now without the friends (that includes you) that I have.

So maybe being, back in the same town as some great friends has made me a little sentimental but thats my prerogative (aside: I think there should only be one "r" in that word. Webster, are you out there? Please reconsider the way this is spelled in your dictionary. Thank you). But sometimes in life it is easy to take people for granted and I just want you to know that I don't take you for granted (at least I hope I don't).

At the end of the day (today or any day really) thank you for being you and letting me be me (Avatar reference anyone? "I see you." I digress). So you be you and I'll be me and we can meet under the old friendship tree.

And now I will leave while there might just be some semblance of dignity left. Maybe? No? Awesome.

Peace.

Jess

Sunday Letters

Dear Inception, I finally saw you last night and you lived up to your expectations. Christopher Nolan must be a genius, I am convinced. Dear Borders, you are my new best friend (shhh, don't tell my old best friend). Dear Angry Birds, best new app ever! Dear Grad School, last week for the quarter. A break has never sounded better. Dear Cowboy Boots, I like you even if my feet hurt after awhile. Dear Words, you are quite possibly the worlds my dangerous weapon but oh how I love thee so.

Peace.

Sunday Letters

Dear Chicago, You have provided a great weekend getaway. Thanks! Dear Cop and Robber, You definitely gave us a fright and some entertainment on the bus yesterday. Dear Family, Thanks for the wonderful weekend and the break from the OH. Dear Sunfire, I am sorry that I have put so many miles on you recently. There are many more to come I am sure. Dear Sleep, Sorry I have not spent much time with you recently, I really will try to work on that soon.

Peace.

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.