The Open Road

So I'm on this trip. And it's a driving trip. One where I get to listen to all sorts of fun music and sing at the top of my lungs as I drive from place to place. Visiting with all sorts of amazing folks and promoting an organization that I think is one of the best things out there.

But while I'm in the car singing along to all these fabulous songs I am constantly thinking of other people. This is because much of the music that I listen to has been recommended to me, or given to me, or I first heard it at a specific time in my life. So on the first leg of my trip I listened to music and I thought about friends from college and from living at the BVS house. I thought about when my grandfather passed away, to the girls who lived on the same hall as I did my freshman year. I thought about several of the most amazing women that I know, who also happen to be some of my very closest friends. I was reminded of my travels through Europe and Nigeria and throughout the states.

I could go on and on. But the point is that to me, each of these songs that I listen to...it means something. These songs are connections to various aspects of my life. Of the journey I'm on. Where I've been and where I am presently. I am so thankful for these songs as reminders of the events of my life. And whenever I hear a song that reminds me of a certain person or place or time, I find myself thinking about that person or place and by being in thought of them, it is as though I'm lifting up a prayer for them.

Music has a way of connecting all of us all the time. And for that I am incredibly thankful.

On Holiday

Sometime or another last fall I told myself that I should go on a vacation. And for one of the first times in my life that I can think of, I was finding myself drawn to the coast for a time of rest and relaxation. I called up my dear friends Jim and Alice, whom I had met a year ago this time on my trip to Nigeria, and asked them if I could come and visit. And well, long story short here I am. In Sarasota, Florida.

Now while it might be a tad bit cold down here, mid 50's, it definitely beats the snowy weather and negative wind chill that is in Illinois this time of year!

And so far, my time away is going well!