Friends

Ending each week with celebrations and gratitude makes the moments in the week so much more precious. I'm so grateful to be part of this community! Thank you to Ruth Ayres and all of the bloggers! Please join us here.

Living "singly" (is that even a word?!?!) means approaching many things on my own. I have honed my single chick skills (a phrase coined by my friend, Christine). Walking into a party alone, eating dinner on my own, pool time, going to the movies on my own...done them all...but there are some things that feel too sacred, too family to do alone and holidays are one. Usually, I plan to spend the day in a way that will make me happy, until I'm reminded that family is all around, in all different ways.

As the holiday approached, I didn't have much planned...a quiet day with my doggie Bella. July 4th is on of my favorite holidays, but today the day didn't hold many plans for me...until my friend, Kathy, called on Tuesday and invited me to the parade. Kathy is someone I've known for...twenty-one years?!?!? (Is that possible?)

The small town parade was fun, but spending time with Kathy & Mark and their family is what really brought me joy! We laughed and reminisced about old times. Her boys...whom I've known since birth are growing into kind, thoughtful, funny, smart young men! I love hanging out with them and just talking with them. Her mom is always ready with a good story and a big hug. Here they are waiting for the parade to begin...

Being invited to spend time with this family means the world to me. 

I was going to go home after the parade and spend some quiet time, until I got a text (earlier that morning) inviting me to a cookout. I threw together a fun and simple dessert and headed over to another friend's house for a fun gathering. I knew mostly everyone there from church...and I stopped and thanked God for my church family. Being included means more than I can say. Unexpected celebrations are certainly the sweetest! 

Music is something else I want to celebrate. Earlier this week, I wrote about a God Moment that was inspired by music. The moment continued in the comments with more musical suggestions. Finding songs and lyrics that speak to me really connects me with my faith. JJ Heller writes lyrics like these:

I have unanswered prayers
I have trouble I wish wasn't there
And I have asked a thousand ways
That you would take my pain away

You would take my pain away
I am trying to understand
How to walk this weary land

Sometimes I don't know, I don't know what your doing,

I don't know, I don't know what your doing, but I know

who you are.

Finding music that speaks to me and sings of my life and experiences helps me cope and feel connected. I have been listening to Your Hands over and over and over again...until it sinks deep into my soul! Thank you to JJ Heller for singing about life in such an honest and heartfelt way.