+you may not remember me i was a child of three

Waking up to a beautiful snowfall, staying in, sleeping more than being awake, headbands, college time, phone talks that make me smile, the middle, watching through tv shows, more catching up, graduation cake, noisemakers, Dick Clark, eastern time, safely home.

+hold tight, it's just beginning

Rediscovering love of an artist, endorphins, never wanting to stop, being stopped, finding a dollar, hard water pressure, cereal for lunch, breathing deeply, resisting, stationary, the smell of new books, fancy coffee, talks with grandma, writing writing writing, sweet boyfriend, laughing flannel, bangs.

+and oh my love my love we both go down together

Winds whipping out of doors, snuggling up in a blanket, not making plans yet, stamps with polar bears on them, understanding, feeling rebellious in a good way, dreaming of Nashville, folding, being neat, being celebrated and remembered, hundreds of little notes, moderating, growing up, homemade cakes, basketball mixed with cards.

+tell me doctor, can you quantify

Long walks, old thoughts, rosy cheeks, time to think, time alone, riding the train, old management systems, new cities, scale, small piles of snow everywhere, eye contact, warm jackets, actually needing gloves, taking photos, finding new places, getting lost in a crowd, yummy fresh coffee, three story stores, out with my siblings, connecting, card games, postcard writing, finding contentment.

+if we're all matter, what's it matter does it matter? if we're all matter when we're done?

Historical exercise, old-fashioned diners, coat racks, just how it was, getting taller, great hugs from cousins, stringed instruments, improvisation, trader joes, football games, family grocery runs, squeezing into vans, family all in one place, endless homemade quilts.

"Don't, don't you worry, about the atmosphere or any sudden pressure change. Cause I know, that it' starting to get warm in here and things are starting to get strange." -Andrew Bird

+all you see are zeros and ones

Yogurt and fresh fruit, short lines, time and energy to read, staying calm in turbulence, sweet babies, remaining or maybe becoming beautiful, rainy but warm, lots of pizza, early bedtimes, reminders everywhere, a safe day of travels.

+oldest friends who are dear to us gather near to us once more

Waking up in the late morning with no plans but to relax, my down comforter than can be easily mistaken for a cloud, good workouts and exercising with Dad, bread again, realizing the greatness and meaning of the day, fantastic relationships, understanding the spectrum, the smell of evergreen, little buttons, small and simple, hearing "Merry Christmas" all day long.

+until the son of God appears

Wearing new sweaters, not having to wear a jacket, long naps in a cozy living room, festive music, festive lights, the smell of baking coming from the kitchen, too many pots of dad's coffee, fresh cookies, beautiful music in unison, wind storms, using technology to connect instead of disconnecting, splurging, getting and giving more than is imaginable, setting up.

+i can tell you, the telling gets old

Coffee cups that require two hands to hold and warm your hands in the process, brick walls, free refills, wooden tables, hilarious conversations, fully engaged, hours passing before you know it, little lunches with gingerbread men endings, columns, long hikes, beautiful weather, the smell of clothing after you've been outside for a long time, movies, collage-making, doing the dishes, snail mail in all its glory, knowing there's a wonderful boy in indiana i cannot wait to hug again.

+the whole world is moving and i'm standing still

Old places with old friends, 65 degrees in December, homemade gingerbread, spending time with my sister, cute and friendly cats, slow time, the piggly wiggly, old window panes, grandma games, spaghetti over candles, the choo choo button, laughing, losing badly, being picked up, cobblestone, being awake, as if nothing has changed, being confident in my choices, closure.

+we celebrate our sense of each other, we have a lot to give one another

Warm weather, fitting, observations, fancy lunching, understanding a town just by the stores they have, being a bridesmaid, being grateful for the time of life I'm in, capitalization, unafraid, sufjan stevens, familiar streets, Christmas shopping for those you love, the advent coming to a close, book stores, easy going-ness, falling asleep to movies with the family, good phone calls from indiana, more movies.

+we can use all the help we can, so many minor chords outside

Pajamas and coffee with a puzzle, quiet mornings, old clothing, packing again, long hugs, happy goodbyes, the way smoke floats unpredictably, Christmas time with people you love dearly, hillsboro village, patience, rosy cheeks, the radio, stationary designs, dreaming still, poinsettias, the post office workers' smiles, will smith in general, creatively bound books, little changes at the home, embracing Birmingham for once.

+start over is no way to begin

Fancy hotel breakfast, observing, umbrellas, grace, remaining, feeling closure, warm clothing, dreaming of the mountains, unpacking and folding, tv shows on dvds, no pending assignments, blue eyes, watching candles flicker, a dinner out, belmont basketball, knowing, taking our time, getting over little fears, warm blankets.

+keep a fire burning in your eye, pay attention to the open sky

The way a breakfast tastes after hard exercise, awaiting, time time time, family, sweet conversation, santa hat searching, hanging candles, homemade cookies, paper straws, encouragement and support, jackson browne, a great view, feeling grateful and thankful, the anticipation of what can come, sketches, embossing, free stickers, accomplishment, disbelief, grinning.

"Just do the steps that you've been shown, by everyone you've ever known. Until the dance becomes your very own... don't let the uncertainty turn you around, go on and make a joyful sound." -Jackson Browne

+they were sitting, they were talking in the strawberry swing

The most vibrant sunrise of the semester, going barefoot, sharpies, bar stools, advent devotions by candlelight, seal and wax (finally having candles), trying a new recipe and it being a success, a library visit, phone talks with sharon, finding the creaks in the room, updates from the road, being taken by surprise, blushing, clean dishes, intentional smiles, indiana, no defined plans, bubbles, invitations.

+from now on our troubles will be far away

Energetic interactions, those recyclable bags at grocery stores, soft and clean hair, empty rooms, baking, preparing, creating the right atmosphere, our 2nd Christmas, a cute and thoughtful theme, finally getting monster, puzzle time, owning silverware, carpets, history, constant guests, hopeful goodbyes, reflections over coffee, excitement for newness in others, apple chips in salads, being the hostess.

“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”

Hebrews 13:2

+just our hands clasped tight

Early caf ventures, dressing up for final exams, finishing strong, still breathing through it, target when it's about to close, running in cold weather, singing along to the radio, energy, less than a 4, an eight foot couch on loan, becoming an amateur botanist, thoughtful christmas presents, learning it's okay to feel need, quick naps, new recipes to bake, choosing to go in depth over out, feeling more at home than I ever have before.

+for the tiniest moment it's all not true

Birthdays, the end of the list, warm days in December, feeling put together, long lunches in a new home, leftovers, pineapple slices, procrastinating by cleaning, timing a dinner, housewarming gifts, feeling just the right age, step stools, the few, grateful, feeling loved and loving, laughing hard, community for lack of a better word, friendly new neighbors, seeing people off and how they smile and sigh in relief, saying goodbye with good hugs, being proud of my friends, the soccer lights outside my window, hearing girls giggling before they go to sleep.

+and in the end, the words don't matter

"I kept falling over.

I kept looking backward.

I went broke believing,

that the simple should be hard.

All that we are we are.

All that we are we are.

And every day is the start of something beautiful"

-Matt Nathanson

The smell of a big pot of coffee brewing, precious time spent over breakfast, pajamas and socks, magnets, step stools, the natural beauty, baking, delicate, doing my job, foggy windows, our own lives, friendship, weekend that tops all week, sun setting, christmas parties (all kinds and formats), beautiful paint colors, old friends in new settings, bubber, popcorn (always.), loving someone more fully, realizing the need and love for people, praying.

+the girl was new and the car was old

Writing Christmas cards, disciplined spending, morning light streaming into windows, brisk weather, loving mom, granola, constant gratitude, engaging, arranging, butterflies, my favorite people, feeling loved and cared for to the extreme, meals out, warm soup, smiles and hugs, sleepiness that turns into more thankfulness, listening too, plants, homey-ness, re-using lots of little things, keeping items that make me feel at home, washing my own dishes, the back corners of restaurants, realizing i trust more now, falling asleep to claymations, feeling warm and safe.

"What was it like for you? I can tell you in truth what it was like for me..." -The Avett Brothers

+but i don't need a telecope to see that theres hope and that makes me feel brave

Crazy situations that still end up working out, breakfasts, silence between answers, serving, signing my name over and over, a wonderful landlord, shampooed carpets, my favorite color freshly painted in the kitchen, sweet potatoes, timing timing timing, birds who live in the beams, cans, the dollar rack at michaels, wicker, homemade dinners, dwelling, toasting the new place, laying on the carpet to guitar music, reveling, fearlessness, lyrics.

+you've held my hand through the darkest night

Recovering it, strange wakings, white walls, classmates, mat kearney, good service, dust bunnies, a-year-and-a-half, percussion, layers of clothing, turning on the tv, being able to help, good choices, unexpected cookies/coffee, passionately thinking, sweet residents, soup, beautiful sunsets over belmont buildings, overcoming fears.

"...we'll still be singin' that song the one they can't take away...
and you are all that i've waited for all of my life."

+i guess i'll never know why sparrows love the snow

"We both made the call but it was only my fault,

Such a beautiful view with a long way to fall.

I was afraid to leave the safety of above,

but if it doesn't it's not love."

-Fiction Family

Standing up, wrestling with thoughts, strong gusts of wind, small and new coffee shops, feeling like I'm living in a novel, the real quality, simplicity, arriving early, pumpkin-chocolate anything, pancake day at kindall's, catchphrase, juniors, pots of coffee, care, warm leggings, staying calm, changing plans, over-my-head-help, music that carries you away.

+and everyday there comes a song with the dawn

More time than needed, long caf breakfasts, eye contact that equates to communication, vikki mckay, humility, respect, jobs well done, flashing colorful christmas lights, "lasts", getting a cap and gown for graduation, study tables, festive projects, smiles, warm hugs, proper bad-weather attire, falling asleep accidentally, the rain letting up, grace.

+i heard it in the song when you call out, but i got to say now its got to change

Dry feet, new light bulbs, sleeping later than expected, shadows, curling ribbon, carillon christmas carols, wearing heels from time to time, christmas decorations of all sorts, beautiful table arrangements, soft peppermint sticks, green beans, good causes, loving support, remembering the first two, being productive and festive, late night visits.

+what goes around now is coming back down today

A long breakfast alone, walking slowly, kisses, headbands, clean piles of clothes, losing a pound or two, keeping plans, picking right up where we left off, scared about the future but knowing we're all together, feeling grateful for nashville tennessee, getting asked the hardest questions i've been asked, being made dinner that is perfectly wonderful, butterflies in my stomach, advent, handmade scarves and hugs at church, holding hands with devon when we pray, holding my chin up, eye contact, the left side of the multimedia hall, hershey kisses mixed with baby candy canes, contentment and excitement, feeling ready, mod podge.

+and don't apologize for all the tears you've cried

"And don't apologize for all the tears you've cried. You've been way too strong now for all your life. I'm gonna get there soon, you're gonna be there too. Crying in your room, praying Lord come through. We're gonna get there soon. Oh, it's your light, oh, it's your way. Crying out now from so far away, you pull me closer to love, closer to love. Cause you are all that I've waited for all of my life." -Mat Kearney

Stopping in the beauty of nature, scale, humility, newness, rekindling, wisdom, insight, hats, frozen hands, being prayed for, tears that almost freeze in the outdoors, missing someone so much that you understand their important, being able to spend time with so many people, knowing that people are willing to spend their time with me, parks, dogs, exciting experiences that make me feel so very lucky, working through it, being completely honest even though it may make me expose the ugly parts of who I am, feeling like all I can do is give me life away.

+and when the smoke cleared it took her breath away

Sunshine telling me the time, smirking, scratching off items on to-do lists, red cheeks from the cold, hot choclate for breakfast, mittens, brick buildings, breaking the gap, endings, sweet goodbyes, sentiment, when people close their eyes they are so content as if they are trying hard to make the moment last, beautiful graphic design mostly with trees and branches, new wisdom and insight from an old friend, watching dance shows, feeling connected, the warmth of old friends' hugs, knowing I'll miss this, friendship pure and simple, experiencing it, figuring out why.

+time together is never quite enough

Breakfast, free, finishing a project, figuring more out, a walk to class, deep breaths, films, curly hair, small close groups, honesty, support, moving dates, visits, clean rooms, bundled up, clearing out, thick fabrics, the kind of sleep that three heavy blankets produces, deep committed love.

+have i still got you to cross my bridge in the storm

Blankets (all colors and patterns), rainy days with warm and well-prepared feet, the assortment of umbrellas that emerge, the civil wars, handling it, overwhelming peace that comes with prayer, gossiping only to God, coffee, remembering, surprise cancellations, overwhelming generosity, never understanding, choosing peace, socks, homemade dinners worth the wait, little white chocolates, being driven, rudolph, gatherings, the colorfully decorated tree outside the curb, christmas music, bells.

+it's so close but we're so far away

The way that coffee cups get so warm and welcome new days, welcoming the month of December, friends simply asking the questions, pursuit, certainty in small things, relief in the minutes, practicing deep breaths, productivity flowing, cold mornings that wake me up quickly, list making, preparing my heart, fringe, the man who let me into his lane on the interstate, being late but right on time, honesty, responsibility, creamy soup, the perfect reflection, deep admiration, throwing my cup away for me, learning to encourage through the grief, low aperture, re-writes.