Overwhelmed

By the title of this post and the amount of stress factors that are a current reality in my life, one might assume that I'm overwhelmed with the pressures of this upcoming move. Actually, strangely enough, I'm at peace, at least for tonight, with all of the (uncertain) details in our life. No, we haven't sold the house and I'm not sure how the next months will play out as we begin our life out West, but I am trusting that it will be good and good will come from even our struggles. So then, what am I overwhelmed about?

I'm overwhelmed with emotion because of the friends I've quickly come to love here in the Charleston area. We had a wonderful get together tonight with some of these people. I stayed somewhat shallow in my conversations because there was a deep pool of emotion that could have easily gushed forth if I even began to acknowledge the truth about how I was feeling. I didn't want to turn even slightly in that direction, for fear that it would be a downhill fall landing right in a puddle of the hidden things in my heart. Things that would cause me to get on a gratitude soapbox and cry an ugly cry. -You know the kind when you risk snorting, looking really ugly and inevitably regret later because somethings are just too tender to speak.

I'm reflecting tonight on my first fearful MOPS meeting and how April made me feel so welcome. How Robin can make anyone laugh and lets everyone know off the bat that they are part of "the group" and she wants them there. How Marca gave me her number and took the initiative to start a meaningful friendship with me. How Karie invited me over for a play date and from then on, her southern voice became a sound of comfort for me. How the Magners became such kind friends, sharing even their own families with us, inviting us over for countless meals and even letting us be a part of their Christmas Eve festivities. Meeting Angela and spending afternoons with good talks and good books. Kathy, the crazy and fun friend who inspires me to help more, give more and simply do more. Time with our old small group and looking forward to Monday nights with them. Our GKGW class that was an 18 week commitment but took our group more like 22 weeks and honestly, it was so worth it! Dear friends like the Young's whose house feels like home because everyone is welcome there. Craft day at my house last Fall and having Cassie stay all afternoon, until hers was finished because the time together was valuable to both of us. I will always laugh out loud when I think of Theresa that night on the pier and also when she took off in a sprint on the bridge- that girl can move!

Other things I will never forget... Tailgating at the Clemson game with the Magners, the Murder Mystery Party, dancing on the pier, Deeper Still weekend (Celeste, Roxie, Randi, Marca, Michelle & Jen you know my whole story- thanks for letting me be me and loving me just the same), walking the bridge late at night with a bunch of fun women that I love so much. Special, special times in my memory bank. Special, special people to share it all with.

Simply put, THANK YOU friends! You have meant so much to me. I don't have adequate words to say what I would like to say, I hope you understand. I love you all so much. I will miss seeing you on a regular basis. I will miss being a part of your wonderful lives! Thanks for letting me be a part of it all for a season.