Siblings

Tonight I took a pause over this picture taken last month. There is a special ache felt only from missing those from the same womb.

My siblings.

The only ones who share the same starting place as me.

I struggle with being so far away. 3,000 miles is a tough pill to swallow in those moments where the busyness ceases and I’m the only one awake to think about things. Things usually means people because I am a product of those in my life. I have developed an acute sense of these 2 in me… how my sister’s existence taught me to not be a spoiled brat (for the most part), how my brother taught me how to live with a boy, and how the resolution of a fight is, ultimately, a chance to become closer to that person even if it takes a decade.

My parents told me this would happen…. that there would be a day that I missed sitting around the table with all of us, or letting my sister borrow my shirts.

Well, that’s today.

 

Tulip

I received these pink tulips from Ryan for Valentines. I love them and they remind me of the hope for spring that all us New Englanders are holding on to. Even though Valentines is a ‘contrived Hallmark holiday’ I still love an excuse to hang out with my dear Ryan, dream about life, eat dark chocolate mousse, and be an example of a married couple who still keep the romance alive.

Every year that goes by, I more sure that we are a perfect fit. 

abrupt subject change
A short list of thoughts and things I’m looking forward to:

1. Finding out whether Ryan gained entrance into the PHD program at BC
2. Hanging out with my lovely sister Sara in Boston this weekend
3. Better understanding how to use Digital Performer (because I’m really struggling now!)
4. Our upcoming 4 day trip to Washington D.C…. I cannot wait to explore a new city and go away on a much needed vacation
5. Urban Outfitters sells great pants
6. I’m frustrated in my quest to lose a few pounds, but I press on hoping my continued efforts will yield results!

Goodbye Daisy

Yesterday, my family’s beloved great dane Daisy, had to be put down. She had finally lost control of herself and couldn’t even stand anymore. My brother Corey took this picture before they put her to sleep. He was the only one in town and he bravely and gracefully took Daisy through her last moments. It was a weird day with all of our family literally being on opposite sides of the country and being so sad for Daisy having to say goodbye. 

There is something about a great dane that is so remarkably human. Daisy was our first dane and it was especially hard to say goodbye. On my last trip home, I had a couple special goodbye moments with her. I knew it wasn’t going to be long.

Daisy was special. Daisy was a love. Daisy was loved and she will be missed. 

Love you sweet girl…

On the Brink

In one week I will have begun my first day of the new fall semester. I am looking forward and yet bracing myself for what should be one of the busiest seasons of my life.
I reflect on this summer and realize that I haven’t done all the things I said I would do, but Ryan and I have had the summer of our lives. I’ll take the good with the bad. 

On the note of not following through… 
I am trying to move into a season of life where I finish what I start, do more or less of something when I say I will, and overall being more faithful to myself. I let myself down and am not consistently disciplined. 
I’ve wrote and thought about this a lot before, but this time I’m trying to attack the root of the problem. I’m realizing that it has to start with the Spiritual Disciplines. Staying in the Word, Fasting, and Actively engaging in community even when it’s uncomfortable. Every time I try to get in shape, practice / write music more, or even something silly like keep up with my photo albums, I fail miserably because I’m not grounded and disciplined enough in the ever important love relationship with my God.


So here’s to finishing what I start, using my gifts, serving others, being wise, and longing for eternity.


I’ll let you know how it goes…

My brother Corey visited us recently, and on this trip Andrew Bird happened to be doing a workshop at Berklee. Since Corey looks so hipster, getting him in the door was no problem. I’ve always liked his music, but didn’t really know what to expect from him as a person. He played songs and then began to answer questions from the audience. 

This post isn’t really about Andrew Bird, it’s about the culmination of some thoughts of mine. Andrew said at one point that songwriting is always there like your old friend… and that we should never have an excuse to be bored. He marveled that his job was to be creative and daydream. 

I forget to marvel through all of my music schooling. I have projects to make and checklists to check off. I feel like an inferior musician, but forget to realize that’s because I’m going to one of the best music schools in the world. Of course there are way better players than me, I’m trying to learn how to write!

What I loved about Bird was that he also went to music school. He used what he learned and came out on the other side with his own agenda and his own specific skill set. 

I’m just frustrated sometimes as I try to navigate being creative, and becoming a professional musician, and learning all of these things at one time…

Worry

Ok So I’ve written about this before, but as it seems to be a recurring theme in my life, here it goes…
Being a full time student again, and being married to one, has been an interesting financial transition to say the least. God continues to provide in very unique ways, and yet I still resist trusting Him fully. 
I remember living off of two full time incomes and buying those little things…. you know things that cost like 10 or 15 bucks. It was not big deal. Now I have to prioritize every little thing and wait a long time, with reluctant patience to purchase those random needed items that pile up on their never ending list. 
The word ‘need’ has definitely been redefined in my life, and why not? Why should I feel entitled when people not even that far away from me in other cultures are content to work and feed their families and might never own a car. And I should be grateful. Without intending to sound as someone solely focused on social justice, let me say that there are those that die every day from hunger and disease.
It is my pride that wants to save face and live the same lifestyle as I did before. I don’t want to admit I need something, or that I need help. I’m still richer than the majority of the world. I’m typing this on a nice computer, I have food in my house, I get to go to a great school…

I need a way to finally shake off the irrational worry and anxiety about tomorrow and the future. I only prove continually to myself that I do not trust the promises of God. He’s just waiting for me to give up on my petty human reason. 

Matthew 6:25-34
 25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
 28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
 31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
 34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

My Story Book


Ryan made a comment today about feeling like going back to Boston is like jumping back into a story book after you put it down. I so feel that way! It’s like when you’re a kid and you make believe for hours or you half wake up from a great dream and so wish you can jump back in when you fall asleep and it only works half the time. Living there overall really does feel like an adventure. It isn’t fun all the time and I struggle with worry, but if I knew the answers it wouldn’t be our story. People in the movies or books never knew what happened next…

Oh what a great month this has been. My batteries are charged. I still worked but time with our peeps was fabulous.

On a similar note, Ryan wrote me a sweet song for Christmas that I am trying to figure out how to post so people can hear. It is so special and all about doing our adventure together and having no idea what comes next, but having each other. It’s terrific.

Ok so everyone go to sleep tonight and have one of those dreams …

the epic ones where you’re the hero and fight off bad guys and someone falls in love with you…

and also where animals can talk and chocolate is a vegetable…

and you happen to be fabulously wealthy…

It’s Time For another Ponderings List


1. I miss my sister Sara

2. I am excited to go back to school

3. I’m sad to leave my family

4. I love the keyboard I got for Christmas (now I can actually practice and compose)

5. I can’t believe my little brother is 19

6. Worry and anxiety about money is something I am still battling, but winning as of late

7. I hate Cancer

8. Cold is relative

9. Target is the Best Store

10. I love Craig Ferguson

11. I’m sad some people I know keep dumping horrible decisions on their lives

Excitement


Here is a fall picture of us in front of the reservoir.

I have a day off today on this Veterans Day, which is great, and I am starting to be very excited about the near future.

Next Tuesday the Berklee Contemporary Symphony Orchestra has our performance at the First Church of Boston. I still cannot believe I play in an orchestra ensemble. What a blessing! I remember dreaming of playing in an orchestra since a few years ago and I just assumed it would never happen. Even with it being a school orchestra it is still exciting to me. God knows what I need and want and continues to prove himself faithful to give me even little things.
Mom is joining us to come see the concert which should prove to be a fun few days.

Then… we leave to go home to Florida on Thursday to be in Katie Bug and Donovan’s beautiful, fall wedding on Saturday. I’m so thrilled and excited. What a great time. Ryan and I always joked that we would be very picky with who we would let the Bug marry, but she has found a winner. I am so going to cry buckets.
A week home in Florida with weddings, friends, family and Thanksgiving will be so refreshing and needed.

The end of a thing is better…

Ryan is gone for the next fortnight which leaves me to brave these next two weeks on my own.

Today was my last Sunday playing with my worship team kids. Wednesday will be my last as well. Some goodbyes with these kids are more emotional than others.

There is just something about playing with them for that very last time that holds me. My brain is locked, usually during a song laced with history, and I watch the reel of images move as I remember everything I’ve ever done with someone or that special group of them. It is the pinnacle moment. It is unavoidable and I always knew that. I just watch. My own personal film plays that no one else can see or feel; it is my own. Rick understands the most.
It has happened so many times before in the last nine years, when someone left. It’s just my turn to move on.
It is good, It is so so good.
It is time.

Camp will inevitably be a last, big, tumultuous, emotional week. One last time.
What a way to end it all…
I’ll wind down slowly after that, but these two weeks? Yeah this is it. The end of the biggest season of my life thus far.

When Ryan returns, I think I will be a little different, hopefully a little stronger, all cried out and ready, really ready to go…

The end of a thing is better…