Friday, May 17, 2013

What I Learned From 'The Office' Series Finale


via

Celebrate the simple things in life.

via

Love conquers all.

via

Always find reasons to dance.

via

For nine seasons I've invested in this show, into the lives of these fictional characters. I'm so sad to say goodbye. Corny as it sounds, after a really hard couple weeks, watching my favorite TV office workers find their happy endings reminded me of mine :)



Wednesday, May 15, 2013

When Life Isn't Interesting


I've been blogging for four and a half years. Not consistently and not always intentionally, but this space has existed for quite some time and witnessed a tumultuous and exciting ride. For four months at its inception I lived in sub-Saharan Africa and documented my experience living in a whole other world. Upon my return, I wrote infrequently about life in Philly, working at an HIV/AIDS services organization, camping out in front of the Supreme Court and up and moving to a strange town in Ohio after graduation.

Then I met Chuck, fell in love, and we began a life together. It was an eventful life- a life filled with long-distance calls, a graduate school acceptance, a move to the big city, brand new grown-up careers, a new apartment and wedding planning. In short- we experienced a whole heck of a lot of life changes in a very brief amount of time. 

And then we got married.

And after vows were exchanged, a honeymoon flight returned and Thank You cards were sent, life steadily slowed. 

These days we work. A lot. We pay our bills, fall asleep in our tiny, concave double bed and look forward to Saturday mornings when we make smoothies, have tickle fights and chase each other around the house.

Life isn't particularly interesting. But it's good, really good. Our marriage is still young and our hopes and dreams for the future are at times, idealistic. But as it turns out, my un-exciting life continues to make me more happy and more fulfilled than its former adventure-seeking counterpart. 

Marriage is far better than I ever imagined it would be.

And sometimes, I even get to come home to this:


Monday, May 13, 2013

The Most Heartbreaking Thing You'll Ever See


Frankie will be laid to rest in Arlington on Monday, May 20. While it may be the hardest thing I ever do, I need to be there to say goodbye. And while the gunshots ring out and tears stream down my face at the loss of my friend, my pain will never compare to this.

Photo credit: Mama Phillips

Taken shortly after Frankie's four year old daughter was told her Daddy would not be coming home.

Please friends, keep Sophia, her Mommy, aunt and Grandma in your prayers. Their hearts are broken right now, and mine is broken for them.

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Sunday Blessings


I acknowledge that my blog hasn't been the beacon of positivity lately that I generally strive for. I also acknowledge that my Sunday Blessings posts are a little less than consistent.

But in light of a really rough week, I think it's so important to share my blessings and make note of all the (bee)autiful silver linings that have been so apparent in my life.


(Bee)autiful Blessings

blog friends

I have not yet gotten around to responding to the thoughtful words and prayers that some wonderful Blogger ladies have left me. But not a single one has gone unread. I think every one grieves differently, but we do share one commonality: that we want to be loved and supported at our lowest. I'm really thankful for the blog friends who did just that :)

real life friends

I've admitted before that Chuck and I really don't have friends here in Pittsburgh. It's been hard, but we met a couple through FPU who we've recently gotten better acquainted with. On Friday, they dropped by while Chuck was at work to drop off groceries and a home-cooked meal. I felt like my heart might burst. I am so thankful for the kindness they showed us when we truly needed it.


prayer

Although, I've been thankful for the number of people who have promised to pray for me as I grieve the loss of a friend, I realize I'm not the one who needs prayer. Frankie's wife, little girl and family are the ones reeling over his death and while I'm hours away and feel helpless to do anything to lessen their pain, there is always prayer. I can't imagine their grief and I continue to pray that they will cast their burdens upon the God who loves them and ask that you might too.

Mommy

Happy Mother's Day to my voice of reason. My biggest supporter. The woman who I'd be completely lost without. I love you, Mommy.



> > >

How have you been blessed this week?

Friday, May 10, 2013

A Pittsburgh Weekend


*This post was originally scheduled to be published on Monday, before I heard the news of Frankie's death. While the sadness remains, I'm doing my best to move on and regain some normalcy. Please continue to keep his family in your prayers.*

> > >

There's been a lot of uncertainty since Chuck and I married about our time frame for living in Pittsburgh. It has never been our intention to "settle down" here and/or raise a family in PA, but as we wait for God's timing to reveal itself, we've determined that we're going to stop driving ourselves crazy with the "what if's" and just enjoy our lives as unofficial Pittsburghers.

This weekend we did just that. Taking a long overdue trip to the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh's Strip District and following it up with an early dinner date at Pittsburgh's original Primanti Bros.