Memories

Turns out that a lot of blogging gets done on our bus journeys – watch the video for a tour.



We ended up getting plenty of company on the bus shortly after the video – but it was fun being the only ones on the bus while it lasted. Now the sun is setting, AA is napping (for the second time today), and a movie is playing. The movies are all in English with Spanish subtitles. This particular bus ride is 22 hours, after just finishing a 7 hour bus ride leaving Brazil and returning to Argentina. I have spent the last hour gazing out the window and reminiscing on life. Out of the blue I realized that I am 28 years old, no longer a little girl, and life is passing by – way too quickly! Too often we go through the motions of life and forget to pay attention to the fact that we are living life. The last hour I have been reliving the past 28 years and I’m dumbfounded that I’m not that tall, gangly 5th grader anymore that is standing in the cafeteria and nervous about starting middle school. Here are some of the other fond memories/emotions that I can distinctly remember as if it was yesterday that they occured. Maybe some of you who have been by my side through these times will get a giggle out of them. It is funny what our brain chooses to remember.

Mike, Chris, and Tom Ackerman have stolen my Barbie and ripped off her head. They have climbed up the tree in front of the house and are taunting me. I am standing below, crying, thinking they are so mean.

Christine Amerman and I are determined that Spotty, the cat, will fit into my doll clothes.

I wanted to wear my white, MC Hammer pants EVERYDAY in 5th grade. My mom told me I wore them too much but I was hoping Rusty Moore would notice how good I looked and ask me to be his girlfriend. (He never did)

Mrs. Jones made me stay after school to practice writing my r’s in cursive.

We ate a grilled chicken sandwich, French fries, a nutter-butter, and Hawaiian punch every day for lunch at Lakeview middle school. And we all weighed nothing…???....

My mom picked me up from track practice after school, and we were rushing to get me to ballet on time. I am changing from my sweaty uniform into ballet tights in the back seat of the car and begging my mom to let me skip ballet.

Meagan, Katharyne, Jolie and I are in the back seat of the caravan, driving to Virginia and seeing who can fit the most pixie sticks in their mouth. So much laughter!

The feelings of being in love for the first time in high school, followed by the tremendous low of breaking up.

Being so nervous before the water polo game at Lake Brantley.

Feeling so much gratitude and love at my surprise 16th birthday party in Miami.

The feeling in my stomach on graduation day when the commencement song started playing. And realizing the impact of change seeing tears in my mom’s eyes.

Waving good-bye to my family when they dropped me off in Colorado for college. Felt so many different emotions that I didn’t know what I was feeling.

The overwhelming pride I felt when I read the letter saying I would graduate from CSU magna-cum-laude. (If you know the secret….shhhh)

The very nervous anticipation of interviewing and landing my first job.

The heartache of divorce and its consequences.

Feeling an intense sense of accomplishment when I crossed the finish line in 3 hrs, 40 min, and 47 seconds.

The pure humility and overwhelming emotion of letting God back in.

The joy of a happy heart jumping up and down in my chest wanting more, more, more.

It has been fun to think back and feel the joys and pains of living my life. It would be great to appreciate these emotions as we are in the moment. Instead I know that I rush through them and hurry on to the next task. Hopefully you’ll stop today and press pause on your life. Live, feel, embrace.