I feel like my mind is overloaded, not stressed in the typical sense, just overflowing with situations/subjects that require significant thought to come to either a plan of action or a resolution. I've got a mission trip to prepare for, choir and Bible school lessons and decorating to work on, family issues to deal with, a bedroom to finish redecorating, unfamiliar scenarios at work. I have been presented with some challenging situations with a couple of my friends and although I am concerned for them, they are adults and my hands are tied regarding their choices. Still hard to watch, though. Our big trip out west will be here before I know it, and I'm not as far along with the planning as I'd like to be. And I'm not stressed, really! Even though everything's pressing on me, and it sounds like I should be pulling my hair out, I don't feel that way at all. I feel very happy and grateful to have such a full life and such interesting things to occupy my attention.
Sometimes, like now, things are going SO well that I can hardly believe it's true. I try my best not to think about when the storms will come, but you always hear about how people are happily floating along and then BAM. A cancer diagnosis, a car wreck, a parent dies, a job is lost. I don't consider myself to be a glass-half-empty type of person, but on the other hand I don't want to take my situational happiness for granted. I know a lot of these thoughts probably stem from this online journal I recently finished reading. www.caringbridge.org/visit/katieferraris. Katie just graduated from law school when she was diagnosed with leukemia. She died a couple of weeks ago at the age of 29 after her 9-month battle with cancer. I never knew her (even though she's from Knoxville), but her story has touched me deeply. If you need motivation to rearrange your priorities, then read her journals from the beginning (her diagnosis) to the end (her death). Here's another one to break your heart: www.caringbridge.org/visit/lisajourney. This guy's baby died from a rare disease, then a couple of years later his wife was diagnosed with cancer and died the next year at age 27. Unbelievable.
OK, enough morbid talk. (I'm turning into my mother... yikes!) I promise I'm not depressed or suicidal, so don't go calling the "Intervention" show on me! I just feel a heavy responsibility to make the most of my life, which can only be positive for me.
Got to spend some quality time tonight with my buddy Amber. What a blessing she is! We became fast friends when she came shopping in the store one day last year when I was working. I rarely connect with people on both a head and heart level, but when it happens, it tends to last. My friends are beyond precious to me and I am so grateful to have another Christian girlfriend to share life's ups and downs with. God is so faithful!
