I'm Just Walking

Geez louise, I haven't written in almost 6 weeks, you guys. I realized that earlier today, and I was trying to figure out why that is. I haven't been particularly busy, but I feel like I haven't stopped to catch my breath in a long time. Which got me thinking about Ben Rector (surprise surprise. my obsession is showing). In his song "I Like You" off the album The Walking In Between, Ben says that "Life is not the mountain tops, it's the walking in between, and I like you walking next to me" and I realized, I've just been walking in between.
Nothing monumental in my life has happened.

I'm just walking.

But it's been good walking.
It's been fun and it's been hard.
I've been learning a lot about my sin and my need for Jesus.
I've laughed so hard I've cried more times than I can count.
Friendships have deepened.
I rented puppies on the quad.
I drove to Maryland and back one weekend, and the next to Columbia and back, (which, added up, is about 25 hours of driving in 1 week. not doing that again any time soon).
I've gone to class and taken tests.
I saw Ben Rector in concert (which might be classified as a mountain, not walking. but it was perfect so I had to share that with you guys).
I've had coffee with friends.
I washed my sheets and towels, did the dishes, and reorganized my desk.

I'm just walking.

Since moving out of my parents house, I've realized what I miss most about living with them and things I miss from high school aren't the mountain tops. It's walking type things.
I miss sitting at the kitchen bar while my mom cooks, talking with her.
I miss coming home after a long day and laying on my sisters bed with her and the dogs.
I miss having the lake in my backyard and spending sunny afternoons on the boat with my dad and brothers.
I miss eating dinner with my family.

You see, it's not extravagant vacations or well planned day trips that we longingly remember once that phase of life has passed. Though those times are fun and make memories, we long for the normal. We long for the everyday things that brought us joy and comfort.
Happiness doesn't require us to spend lots of money to spend a week at a beach resort in the Bahamas.

Happiness is only real when shared with those that we love.