rules of the road. sort of.

I don't know about you - you know, all 8 of you that are reading this- if any of you have an ongoing conversation with yourself as you are driving... and not a conversation of theology, or politics, or deep spiritual revelations. Instead, its a conversation about what's happening around you, and what three primary rules should be considered when driving. They are just this simple:

1. If you are bigger, you win. For example, if my vehicle is bigger than the vehicle that is approaching, I am SO pulling out onto the road. I'm bigger, I win.

2. If your car is older, you win. For example, considering pulling out in front of an oncoming car because you are running late and really, this is the longest red light ever...? If you are older, you are good to go. If the car that is coming is newer, nicer or more expensive that yours, they aren't going to hit you.

3. Never, ever use the "bigger, older" card against a vehicle older or in worse conditions than yours - especially if that vehicle hosts visible dings and dents. Because, if they have dents, they aren't worried about not getting another one - wait. your. turn.

returning to the Classic City.

This week, I had the privilege of returning to the MOST beloved and BEST all around college town - no, your arguments are invalid, it truly is, its been published as so - Athens.

ahhh, breathe in the Classic City.

To say that I love this town, and the memories associated with it, the campus, and the food, and the general vibe, would be an understatement.

A big one obviously since I'm writing a whole post about it.

Upon returning as a more-adult-like person, than a starry eyed college student, I have the following observations -which are relevant for all those who still refer to their alma mater city as "home" in their hearts.

1. Buildings are not allowed to change names. I don't care if he was a former governor, I don't care that you put up a big official sign. It will always be the SLC. deal with it. I refuse to acknowledge it as anything else.

2. Restaurants are not allowed to close. But they do, and anger and the shaking of fists are appropriate reactions. I'm sorry new restaurants, I'm sure you are uber tasty and yummy, because, let's face it, Athens is a foodie town, but I have a first impression grudge in you taking the place of my favorite. After this disgruntlement to change subsides, I will be willing to try your fares.

3. College wardrobe choices still baffle me. Ankle boots and gym shorts? One person walks by barely dressed, other in jeans, boots and a parka - what is the actual temperature here and is it considered when dressing? No. the answer is No. And really, ankle boots and gym shorts - I mean, you should know that people are not impressed with this fashion choice. Stop. It.

4. 8 a.m. still means ghost town in a college town. Unfortunately, due to many mornings up bright and early getting small children ready for life, 8 a.m. now seems like a reasonable time to be up, dressed and function. However, it was INCREDIBLE RIDICULOUS to consider as a college student when really, all you had to do was put on shoes and walk around in pajamas if you so chose.

5. Suffering should be passed to next generations. There is now an APP that tells you what's on the menu at the dining halls and when the next bus will be at your stop. NO. You should have to figure that out yourself. And run like crazy just to get to a full bus and still have to wait for the next one. And you figure out yourself when the good food is where and FOR THE LOVE, there has been no permission from alumni for you to "redo and rebuild" dining halls - they must eat in the worst imitation of "The Max" ever.

6. The heart don't lie (name that old school country song) - happy places are forever happy places.

And this is certainly, my happy place.

So, in conclusion, people who tell you that your college town is not as special when you aren't in college.... LIARS.

glory, glory to old Georgia.

and as a glorious side note, had a fun little morning meetup with Erika who also didn't shoot me or murder me or force me to run a tri, which would just be senseless.

woah. so. so. good.

http://youtu.be/0VqTwnAuHws

...

there are these moments in time.

these moments that just seem to freeze.

You can't get past them. You can't really get through them.

You just are in them.

One phone call. One notice.

An ordinary day forever changed.

You can feel your heart beat. You can feel your brain racing.

But all you see are the same words over and over.

All you feel is the beating.

You take extra deep breaths. You search for anything to grasp.

Its a moment.

That changes a lifetime.

How? Why? What? How do you? What do you? How can you? Can you?

the words rattle empty and unfinished, persistently swirling.

so much and so little

echoes and whispers toss about

news not even an hour old reaching across towns, through channels.

a baby gone.

gone.

just gone.

you fear and cringe and fret and pray.

how do you make sense of it? how do you reconcile it?

an Almighty God.

how do you?

a child much awaited.

the pain of his mother. his family. everyone.

a pain that reaches into the deepest, darkest part of all of us.

how?

why?

Jesus in these moments, how do we find you? How do we see you? How do we know you in the deep?

Please pray earnestly for a family who lost their infant today. There are no details to share, and more questions than answers. And more feelings than anything else.

Jesus.

check.

poor, poor blog.

One day. One day I will return to you.

Hopefully sooner rather than later.

Here's a few -isms for you in the mean time.

Michael - How about I save "little blue" (our oldest most in disrepair vehicle) for you to drive when you turn 16 Hayley?
Bowen - My sister is not driving that.

Hayley - The only sandwhich I eat comes from Dairy Queen and has ice cream in the middle.

Lady at Church - Bowen, did you get ballerina shoes?
Bowen - they make me twirl (and she twirls)

Hayley - Mama, why don't you have any sons?
Me - Do you have any brothers?
Hayley - no.
Me - That's why.