+we're gonna live on wits, we're gonna throw away survival kits

Waking to a dad-breakfast, the last trip, packing neatly, cleaning up, the radio, non-stop, sweet reunion, crying during a pixar film, making homemade, eating a homemade dinner, feeling right, making sense, missing.

+even with the rest belated, everything is antiquated

Not stepping on the gum on the side of the road, patience, sweet new dresses, feeling classy, blasting sufjan stevens again, realizing the small blessings, fresh produce, cold weather in the south, drives with the sister, the basics, long chats, closure, updates, cheesy romances.

+fallin asleep to the sound of stars shootin round the moon

Coffee, warmer days, walking, football, everything the way it was, still writing, readiness, the way your hair smells after the outdoors, fresh air, circles, feeling comfortable, well-written articles, perseverance, archways, deep green, a sense of restoration, warmth of your own bed.

+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.