Just the Beginning

When I was a little girl I had an older couple that would babysit me.  I loved them so much.  They were my best friends, especially David.  We would go on walks, go fishing, work in the garden, cook, play in the sandbox and so much more.  Even when I became of the age to attend school I would rush home to tell them both about my day.


In the years since, I stopped visiting them as much or talking to them on the phone.  Now I have graduated college and moved away.  The day before I moved I went to visit them both.  Mary was terrified I am going to get eaten by bears while David just stood by my side grinning.  His hearing aid can't pick up my voice that often but he still has the easiest laugh after all these years.


On Dec 23rd I received their Christmas card in the mail.  I didn't open it until Christmas Eve, having laid it on the table and forgetting about it.  Mary had written that David has been diagnosed with cancer.   Nearing their 90s I can't help it to not be surprised but it's was still a tough swallow.  I love these two people with whom have been in my life for so long and have always backed me no matter what.  It's going to be hard to let them go, but the I have a feeling the Lord will welcome them with open arms.


2011 has been a very tough year.  I have lost so much but have a gained a brand new insight in return.  I hope 2012 will keep me on my toes just as much and jumping at the chance to spend as much time as I can with my loved ones.


Dear David,


Thank you for being my friend and holding my hand as we skated atop the frozen lake.  I loved naming your cows and hated to see the misery on your face as I asked what happened to Whitey but you calmly and patiently explained to me what happens to cows when they grow up.  You'd let me watch Barney every morning before school and after, that had to be annoying.  I hope the years have been kind to you and I apologize for not coming to see you more often over them.  You are still the best friend I have ever had.  When you are ready, and not a second before, I want to be able to look out and see your radiant face in the stars.  I will be able to talk to you and converse with you whenever I want.  No timetable.  See you soon.


Love Always,
Torie

Dirt Road Anthem

Ever been to a baseball game?  This past summer I went to my second one and absolutely feel in love.

I always remember this weekend whenever Dirt Road Anthem by Jason Aldean comes on the radio.   For those of you that don't know, every player on the home team has a theme song when they step up to the plate.  This song stuck out to me and has teleported me back to my seat at Kauffman Stadium ever since.  This was the only game of the at home 3 game series the Royals won and they won by a landslide.


My boyfriend, at the time, and I wanted to get out of town and actually spend some time together.  I know, a crazy notion, right?  We spent a few days in Kansas City going to the zoo, the game, on a brewery tour and a couple of other really great places.  This weekend was so amazing just being with him and getting to know each other a little more.  All that mattered was that we were together and happy.

"I'm Single!"

Once upon a time, on a Saturday morning, 5 friends went to eat breakfast at a local mom and pop eatery.  The waitress asked them how they would divide up the tickets and one friend replied, "I'm single!"  Of course this made the other four bust out in laughter at the way she had put it.


Today I was calling to get a quote on car insurance and the man on the phone asked what my marriage status was.  I replied, "single."  This one word brought back the memory of the room we were in at that breakfast long ago, who was sitting were, who ordered what, and everyone's smiles that still give me a fuzzy feeling of happiness.


It might not be a big thing, but in the end those little moments add up and I don't know where I would be without those moments or the people in them.

Guilty Pleasure

Recently I took the biggest risk of my life and moved 11 hours from home.  To some of you, this may not be a big deal but I have lived my whole life inside of a teeny tiny box and I was ready to let that box be opened.  Fresh air never felt so good.  Anyways, I am a HUGE family person and one of my mom's favorite movies involves a girl who looses herself and she has to find her way home.  Along the way she finds that being home is a big part of who you are and that you can always rely on family to catch you when ya fall.  This movie is Hannah Montana the Movie.  So, now 11 hours from home I will snuggle under a blanket with my hot coco and watch.  This movie proves that no matter how far you might be from your security blanket, you can always go back to get warm.