The Road to Harvard: The Preface

So we are HERE. Next week marks one month in our house in New England. Getting here was more than I could have imagined. It was full of unexpected experience with the four people I love most in the world. It was an adventure that I would take on again and again. I would not trade this summer for a summer anywhere else. I told Son1 that he may never have a summer like this ever again.

The road here was emotional. And by road, I don't mean the freeways or highways. And by emotional, I do not mean I cried. There were some moments of intense happiness, moments of peace, moments of excitement, and moments of reflection. They are treasures to me.

Last night I was making some temporary edits to my blog. My eyes nearly fell out of my head when I saw that I had only made 11 blog posts in 2010. There was a year I made 261 blog posts. That is not this year. We have lived life, really lived life, almost every waking hour.

My only regret is not having shared the good life with anyone else.

In the last few hours I decided that I must write about this summer, and not just blow past the past. It was one of the most life changing events for me. I felt God speak to me in a tangible way. I fell more in love with my husband. My kids grew a more distinct brotherhood. I cannot believe I would admit this, but I actually saw the beauty in a road trip from San Diego to Boston, rather than choosing to jet across the miles in an airplane. Some years ago I vowed early in motherhood to fly rather than drive at all costs. My eldest two boys have logged some serious airplane miles in their young lives. When we lived in Hawaii I flew 2500 miles many times with the older two boys. I made that flight sometimes with the whole family. I also made that long trek alone with an infant and then alone while pregnant with the second and an active toddler, and finally with two small children and pregnant with a third. Traveling with them was manageable, but difficult. I only thought a road trip might be more crazy. I was wrong. Driving was easy, even with our family split between two cars, pulling a trailer.

So this is a new beginning point for me. This is a point of leaving the familiar, experiencing the unplanned, arriving differently than when we had left. But this time, you are coming, too.

Why I Can't Pick Just One

Sometimes being the new mommy on the block seems more frightening than being the new kid on the block. The new kid just wonders when they will have a friend. The new mommy on the block has actually been around the block. I know what it is to be new. I know what it is to make deep friendships. I know what it means to click with a mommy but not with her kids. I know what it is to click with nice kids, and wish their parents were different. And then sometimes I click with someone and our kids click.

Have you ever just met someone and thought, hmmm, I can tell we click? Have you ever anticipated a "next time" meeting? Have you ever thought of the questions you might ask that person ahed of time, just to be prepared? Well, I met her in the last couple of weeks. Then, we were on the same email distribution list for an upcoming event. And then, I googled her last night.

Last night. Last night I was in a different place before I googled her. I struggled to choose whom to send a Dayspring card for the National Day of Encouragement. A card pack was given to me by the folks at Dayspring and the (in)courage blog. I was asked to write just one card. The cards are absolutely gorgeous. I juggled a list of names in my mind. Who really needed to be encouraged? Whose "story" could I share? I had no answers. I asked God to tug on my heart and bring one person to mind. And then I got distracted. And my mind wandered. And I googled her.

I already had my questions ready for our next meeting. And then I googled her. Suddenly I had no more questions. She lost her husband, and has three small children. The eldest is my six year old son's age. My heart nearly fell out of my chest. My stomach was somewhere around my ankles. I realized my idea of who she is, is just an idea. My heart filled with compassion for her and for her kids.

God answered. My heart was tugged. There is no time like the present. This life is so brief with no guarantees, no warranties, no return policies. I am sending every single card that I received out to every single woman that has crossed my mind that needs to be encouraged this week.

And as for her, I am keeping what I know to myself. I am making an effort to know her. I will move out of my comfort zone, out of the new mom on the block insecurity, into plain sight. I just may make a friendship.