+what we lost means nothing for the memories will stay

Sleeping off fevers, small town feeling, seeing the benefit of frustrations, laughing at e-mails, long hugs, warm yellow scarves,  polka dots, dark denim, old and new friends all mixed together, standing up for myself, articulating thoughts, healing, prayer, not giving up on someone, two hour evening naps, shk, funny stories, over-caffeination, first times, good memories, birthdays.

+you only disappoint the ones who don't believe

Little victories, red trees, the smell of fresh wood, open windows, new hiding spots, filling in and being necessary, apartment shopping, imagining what comes next, candlelight, craigs' list, cancelled class, perfect weather, support where it's needed most, understanding phone calls, being cared for when sick, hot tea, the home phone, stylish clothing, success for close friends, being low maintenance.

+the pulse of life within my wrist, a fallen snow, a rising mist

Committing, morning after formal make-up, learning new information and meeting new people, seeing the larger scope, explaining generations, sunshine, mellow music, orange juice, little plans, alicia's listening, cute messages, water, gut feelings, sandwiches, sitting up straight, deep connectedness and ease, goose, pottery, watching real love.

+and my resting place is taught by love

Sunrises, alicia, family, birthdays, bubber, dad's coffee, dark yellow, lunches that need reservations, warm boots, tomato soup, old streets, letting myself be a daughter, dispelling some stubbornness, long phone calls, sunsets, appreciating the birmingham skyline, not missing, cobblestone, talented friends, arms, games, posture, noodles, fevers, classic windows, superlatives, heels that don't hurt, dancing, ties and bowties, pins, good talks.

"Grass is always greener on the other side. The search is never over in the pastures of my mind. In the meaning of happiness drowning in smiles, or that dreadful world I left behind? O, Lord grant the grace to accept who I am, who I am that You have designed. And I know there's a plan that you have up your sleeves, Rabbi teach me the faith to believe. It's the only way my life will every make sense to me" -Chris Rice

+I wanna have pride like mother has, and not like the kind in the Bible that turns you bad

Airports, fighting alarm clocks, not stopping, yogurt, cardboard boxes, lanterns, unconventionality, enough fruit, initiating from him, plans set in stone, goofiness that makes me grin all day long, canceled classes, creating new recipes, surprised and relieved faces, high energy, happy tears, square lamps, fixing it ourselves, colorado talk, catching up.

"I wanna have friends that I can trust that love me for the man I've become not the man I was. I wanna have friends that will let me be all alone when being alone is all that I need. I wanna fit in to the perfect space, feel natural and safe in a volatile place." -Avett Brothers

+sun turns the evening to rose, stars turning high up above

"I know that you think you're not good for anything, the world makes you feel so small...And oh, isn't it starnge how things can change you? And oh, isn't it plain that some things unname you?" -The Weepies

Problem solving, hard work, getting out of class early, early sunrises, taking the time to be still, collages, votes of confidence, film class, forgetting to wear makeup, running into, thick borders, prayer closets, crisp green apples, follow-through, small rings, cold air, intentional date night, the 5th of november, whole foods' staff, baking pie, imagining, freshness.

+we walked home together, i was never the same

Discipline, the office, weights, anything by Robert Benson, hummus, ease, crunching leaves, strong winds, deep yellow, reading outdoors, frozen fruit of all kinds, smoothies, thoughtfulness, embarking, rekindling, manuscripts, library books, talking loudly, stares, girl-time, consistency, later nights, sleeping heavily, journals.

+and when i see you i really see you upside down

Butterflies, wheat toast, prayer, five pieces of gum, focus, patience, lockers, good hair days, accomplishment, solidifying news, ripples, sunshine, feeling like it's my birthday, genuine support, mailbox letters, paper fans, spiritual updates, learning the rhythm of prayer, coffee paired with apartment hunting, even more butterflies (the excited variety), hardwood floors, making big choices, feeling safe, dreaming, homemade dinners, shk up, oatmeal cookies, a quick hug, our own lives, counting down.

+then one day you smiled and said my name

More than I thought, library books, robert benson, caf meals alone, trying on dresses I could never afford, frilly shoes, jaw dropping good news (twice!), feeling like I hit the lottery, crossing my fingers, seven weeks, apartment shopping, gardens, passing up the lesser, explanations, surprsing each other, daisies, cool whip, parodies, that laundry smell, yellow lanterns, not studying but assured, flannel hugs.  

"And this is our reward for being brave. For doing what was right and never playing it safe - and who could ask for more?" - Straylight Run

+you might not have meant to but, it's time you can't take it back

Long runs, sunrises, daylight savings time, the smell of the countryside, patience, maturity, cup after cup of coffee with conversation, no plans, big meals, chopsticks, relaxing, alertness, driving under the speed limit (still), realizations, getting over things quickly, loving genuinely, caring genuinely, long phone calls, knowing small portions of what I want, realizing my time in life, grateful for the same page, glistening, Nashville is home.

"We are collapsed in the act of just being here." -Stars

"Another turning point; a fork stuck in the road. Time grabs you by the wrist; directs you where to go. So make the best of this test and don't ask why. It's not a question but a lesson learned in time." -Shameless Green Day lyrics

+pray for me child, just for awhile

Tennis shoes, earliness, chick-fil-a, beautiful brick-work, deeply rooted traditions, spirit, epic videos, walking paths, ponchos, smiles of recognition, getting the wheels turning, those chants, knowing all over again, desperation, generosity, green monster, crafting, baked pumpkin seeds, the original charlie brown great pumpkin video, hot apple cider from scratch, focus, being trusted, people watching, plenty, old faces.

+slip your hand in mine ask me to dance with you tonight

New sanctuary, raining leaves, acorns that hit your head as you walk, surprise coffees, fancy leftovers, heart-to-hearts, giggling at costumes, life, order, warm but windy days, reassurance, loyalty, bursting, long car rides, ipods, passing without stopping, driving under the speed limit, easy transitions, late night with old friends, being a bridesmaid, gingerbread pumpkin cupcakes, candy corn, deep rest.

+show us that you care for us

Table cloths, gerber daisies, flour on the countertop, breakfast smells, healthy, punchyness, ease, puddles, politeness, good motivations, humility, treading lightly, tall grass, ribbing, powerful music, relief, rainbow scarves, packing up, real beauty, openmindedness, the word kettle, maturity, genuine excitment.

+however you feel, whatever it takes, whenever it's real, whatever awaits

"Cast aside everything that might extinguish this small flame which is beginning to burn with you, and surround yourself with everything which can feed and fan it into a strong fire..." - Anonymous, The Art of Prayer

Cold stone, overwhelming iron work, frosted windows, chipped paint, worn leather, hide-a-ways, sweet silence, warfare, welling, tears, penning, scarves, prayer, warm rooms, greetings, genuine love, a strawberry twizzler, confusion and doubt, snail mail, grace, depth, purple shoes, reality, loyal friendship, pocky, track-walking, stopping for hugs, enjoying the present.

+you can choose to love and what is more that is how you survived the war

Books that contain inspiration, consuming my morning, simple foods, being direct, approaching and debriefing, eye contact, sweet understanding, pencil erasures, well-bound journals, intricate patterns, fabrics, fits, silence, laughing through the entire thing, consistent positive interaction, knowing, well-made hummus, cucumbers, patience and mentorship.

+only he who obeys a rhythm superior to his own is free

Little smiles, beautiful weather, long walks, goofy voices, unique lettering, homey-ness, dog-walking, feeling comfortable, warmth, clean glass, strength, sweet reminders, gatherings outdoors, luna bars, control, re-experiencing Jesus, new journeys: together, encouraging, accountability, friends who care even when you're sleepy, almost crying out of joy at pictures of mountain ranges."Sometimes I wish that I could sing or dance or paint or compose symphonies or build cathedrals to express somehow what all of this means to me. I wish I were a priest or a robin or a child or a sunet." -Robert Benson

+he is the wind in our sails

Well-planned atmospheres, fancy wide-rimmed mugs, three hours, new tea, two more hours, high chairs, yoga in a dorm room, cleaning, good smells, patch work quilts, old rustic books, planning road trips, the name October or Autumn, double-sided tape, seeing stars in the night sky, feeling pressure and being able to manage it.

+but did it carry you away? did it carry you all the way?

Planned out, timing, homeworking while sitting on a dryer, everything about a freshly cleaned-good smelling-hoodie, staying productive, unexpected napping, brilliantly overwhelming out-of-doors, smiling more, wooden floors with character, it all coming together, really enjoying, being myself...really being myself, brushing my teeth, the smell of a warm vanilla candle, leaving the option open, directness, kindness, wrap around porches, little distractions, sword fights, beautiful and funny friends, reliving.

+and we live in a beautiful world

Guarantees, balanced, warmer, sleeping fully, restraining, researching, white board markers, schedules, love, the phrase "through the roof," crisp apples, paying attention, i dream of weenie, east nashville, pumpkins with glasses, alicia, the original, vegan cookies, new lofts, evening sunlight angles, glassy eyes, standing on chairs to hug, the pumpkin spice smells, fully focusing, kindall, running into, ceramic mugs, little details about Belmont that go unnoticed, no distractions, journaling.

+i gotta move while the streets are sunny

Lending a hand, encouragement from unexpected sources, run-ins at coffee shops, knowing the system, rekindling, Andrew Bird, crossing things off, funny stories, compliments we get to share, feeling a part, voicing, how the weather changes attitudes, smelling fresh cut grass, missing (real) friends, learning to love people, the value of good groups, connections, pasts, missing dad, being self-confident, reading for insight, not realizing the beautiful impact a thought and a prayer can have, warmth and a smile and happiness wrapped into the same breath because of another person, letting God.