Where did summer go? Plus ramblings on anniversaries and an exciting week ahead!

Like every year, summer's end is in sight, Back To School sales are in full-force, and nobody knows where the time went. Haha. I must admit that I caught myself several times last week saying things like "Wow, how is it already mid-August?! It seems like summer just started!" And I'm not even a teacher or a student, so it makes no difference to me. In fact, I'm kind of excited b/c the end of summer means that my favorite season is on its way!!!! Yay Autumn!!! Football games, tailgating, hoodies, pumpkin spice lattes, pretty leaves, great running weather (although time will tell how much I will be able to take advantage of that)...Also on the exciting list for this Fall is a road trip to a friend's wedding in Alabama, and my cousin and her husband are having a baby boy in October! So much to look forward to in the Fall! But wait, I'm getting ahead of myself. It is still August after-all, and there's plenty to be excited about this week alone!

Two great friends celebrated their first wedding anniversary today...I was so happy to be a bridesmaid in their beautiful wedding a year ago. But that wonderful memory also brings to mind a very sad day, as well. I know we're not supposed to dwell on the past, but I tend to remember life events and certain conversations quite vividly, almost like they just happened yesterday even if they actually happened years ago. While anniversaries are supposed to commemorate positive life events, I don't think I'm alone when I say that I also tend to associate certain dates with very painful memories, as well. Thinking about tomorrow's date inevitably reminds me of one year ago when I returned from my friends' wedding and went to visit Dad in the hospital. It was early afternoon when the doctor came in and broke the devastating news about the terminal cancer they had found, which before that moment had just been a possibility, but not one that my optimistic outlook would let me take seriously until it started sinking in at that very moment. And thus began the emotional rollercoaster of the next 5 months and beyond. I'm learning that it's true what people say about the grieving process getting somewhat better with time though. I mean, it still hurts a ton and we will always miss Dad so very much, and there will always be a void that nobody else can fill. But recently there have been less nights of crying (tonight not included since this post has the waterworks going again, but sharing my thoughts and feelings always makes me feel better in the end so it's a good thing. And thanks for reading btw..it's always nice to know that you guys take the time to read my ramblings), and I find it easier to think fond memories of him and smile instead of dwelling on the sadness factor. At least I should be busy at work tomorrow, which means less time to think too much about it until after work. It's interesting how dates on a calendar can forever be associated with different memories for different people...there's another tough one coming up for me at the end of this month as well, but at least the past year has helped heal that one to some extent.

Okay, that's enough of me being a Debbie Downer for one night! Sheesh, y'all are going to stop reading my blog for fear that every post is going to be sad! So sorry! I will do my best to remedy that and balance it out with more happy and upbeat posts! :)  So, back to the exciting things about this week! Today I tried out two new churches here in Richmond: Redemption Hill and City Church. I enjoyed both services and am especially excited about the fact that City Church meets at 4 pm, which was admittedly a turn-off for me at first. Having been born and bred going to church on Sunday mornings for all of my life, the concept of going to church in the late afternoon kind of blew my mind, but then I realized that it will work out perfectly for football season so I can go back to the Valley for JMU games, attend the caffeinated service at my beloved HBC, have lunch with the fam, and then head back to RVA just in time for the 4 pm service. Yay! Of course, I intend to keep trying out both churches for several weeks, since you can't really make a decision like that after only attending one service. Nonetheless, I'm excited about potentially finding a church that's the right fit for me, as well as opportunities to serve the community that I've been looking for since I moved down here. Prayers that I will find the church where God can best use me (and for me to know which one that is) would be greatly appreciated! :)


Continuing on with the positives of this week, we're having a YPG reunion dinner this Tuesday night! I can't wait to see everyone and catch up! We're also going to be making plans to get our YPG alumni weekly small group underway! Yessssss!!!!!!


Next, I had my first follow-up appointment for my fractured foot last week and my doc said the x-rays show that it's healing nicely and I can stop wearing the air cast starting this Thursday!!!!! Woo-hoo!!!!! I (naturally) asked him about the timeline for running again and he said we could discuss it at my next appointment in 3 weeks, but it's a definite no-go until then....ahhh I'm so impatient to get back out there and start running again! But on the upside, he said that I can wear heels for the wedding that I'm in this coming weekend as long as I'm not on my feet too long and they don't cause me any pain or discomfort. Which brings me to another super exciting event....one of my childhood best friends is getting married this weekend! I can't wait! And praise the good Lord that I won't have to rock out my stylish air cast during the ceremony....it doesn't exactly match my bridesmaid dress. Haha :P  But seriously, it's going to be a beautiful day and I'm so happy to be a part of it.


Finally, I bought and started reading "The Help" today. I keep hearing so many great reviews about the book and the movie, but my rule tends to be that I have to read the book before seeing the movie, so I want to buckle down and make time to read it so I can catch the movie before it goes out of theatres. I'm only 22 pages in so far though, so I should probably get off the computer and read!


Okay, I think that's enough for now. It's going to be a crazy busy week, but it should be the good kind of crazy busy, which is my favorite kind :)  With that, I am going to say good night, thanks for reading, and I'll leave you with this uplifting song from The Afters: