The Learns I've Learned

I have returned. Sans a tall girl. My heart is sad yet overjoyed to see my other girls. And so very glad that life has slowed down. I wonder if it'll stay that way......

I cried. A lot. I'm still prone to bouts of tears. Not as much.

I learned some things on this journey.....

Here's ten of them:

1) I'm stronger than I think. I can drive numerous miles, drop my flesh and blood off and leave her. It wasn't easy, there were lots of tears. However, I am home and she is at her new home.

2) Bravery is something I'm capable of. I drove a LONG way, folks. It was quite an adventure...I had great adventure buddies. (buddY on the way home) C played a hippie's djembe at a truck stop. QUITE the adventurer, that one!

3) Just because Colorado has "Bear Crossing" signs (with pictures of the bears on them) doesn't mean you'll actually see a bear. Bummer.

4) Buffalo Bill is buried in Colorado.

5)Cockroaches are creepy. They scurry in the dark....when you least expect them. Eeesh!

6)Birds like my car. Really. We had at least 4 dive bomb it...2 were successful. Pretty sure they died.

7) Bugs. Windshield. Ewwwww!

8) The tall girl can cook! And it's yummy!

9) God loves me. We saw so many wonderous things....I am in awe of His love.Plus we saw hippies dancing at the rock arch. They had an "alien" van.

10)You'd like to think everything will be easier tomorrow....it isn't.

We were assaulted when we walked in. Her stuff was everywhere. You'd think it had all been packed and was being unpacked at her new home. Nope. That would be too easy. And so I learned that small things can bring tears in grown women. (not me, for the record) Sweatshirts, posters, perfume bottles...all hold tear inciting power when your best friend has left them behind.

It will take time. She'll settle, we'll settle. It's not like we're never going to see her again. It's just that this feels so permanent. And even though I had company...I had to do this on my own. Again. I've had some very emotional things that I've done with out my emotional cheerleader next to me. (Matty, in case you're curious) I'm worn.

I wouldn't take a moment back. I've had some very sweet moments with these very sweet girls. And with our son in law. He definitely isn't used to our brand of crazy and drama sends him to a happy place somewhere in his mind, but I love him. He'll get used to it. These moments are treasures. The wedding, reception, New Mexico journey....those are full of moments to be treasured and cherished. I learned I need to cherish.

We're good. Life will continue forward. I don't want to miss any moments....so I am grabbing what comes and enjoying it.


One more things I learned:
New Mexico is better than dead.....


"If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together, there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart, I'll always be with you."
Christopher Robin, Pooh's Grand Adventure