You’re a part of it.

Date June 10, 2009

My life is an amazing one.  There’s no question about that at all.  I’ve been lucky and done more in 28 years than some people get to do in a lifetime.

I’ve seen an Australian sunrise and snorkeled on The Great Barrier Reef.  I’ve stood beneath the eerie glow of Big Ben at night and hiked along the Italian shoreline.  I’ve marveled at Stonehenge bathed in an early morning light and taken a nap on the steps of the Sydney Opera House.

I’ve had my hair tangled by an Amazon breeze and found my way through jungles to a Lost City.  I’ve played in thick Mississippi clay and I’ve heard jazz on the sidewalks of New Orleans.  I’ve seen presidents carved into stone and rolled a kayak in the freezing waters of the Nantahala River.

I’ve walked through coffee fields and over mountains and I’ve run on empty trails and crowded streets.  I’ve swum in rivers and oceans and danced under waterfalls and in the rain.  I’ve seen love personified and I’ve had my heart broken and I’ve cried on four continents for one thousand different reasons.

I’ve watched my brother grow into a man that I respect with more intensity than I thought possible and I’ve thanked Jesus over and over for a baby Sisser that is my very best friend.  I’ve turned my head away as my parents kiss in the kitchen.  I’ve eaten ice cream with my Mamaw at midnight and cream cheese cupcakes for breakfast with friends that are scattered across the world.

I’ve read more books than I can name and written more words than I thought were in me.  I’ve heard music in the Andes mist and wiped tears off of precious brown faces.  I’ve fallen in love with Colombia and a man from some place called Carthage.  I’ve learned to salsa dance and speak Spanish and to find my way home again.

To find my way home again.  Yes, I’ve learned that, too, but I don’t think all of me is coming home.  It can’t because…well, because I’m leaving part of my heart in Manizales.

See, I told you I had an amazing life.  Thank you for being part of it.

7 Responses to “You’re a part of it.”

  1. Lauren said:

    I always have great difficulty telling people about you. I usually get as far as, “Well, she’s…” and then a million examples fill my head and I’m never sure which is the most descriptive of you or the things you’ve accomplished. Perhaps I should just print a copy of this and keep it handy…

  2. Anya said:

    You amaze me! I get chills reading everything you write. I can’t wait to see you! XOXO

  3. Lou said:

    I had to read this twice it was so good. Can’t wait to see you. Your life has been full and you are not even half way through yet. Just imagine the next 28 years.

  4. Robin said:

    yep…pretty amazing:)

  5. sherry vinson said:

    What a great start you have! More to come, more to come! God has given you much and you have given of yourself right back. What a super example you are to others. Guess what, more than your heart got left in Colombia…you left sweet brown faces with memories of that special teacher in their lives!

  6. Kyles said:

    Wow… your words are amazing, your heart and tears were in those words! Thanks for sharing some of those moments with us and with out a doubt there will be many more awesome things to come! xox

  7. felicia said:

    I love this post. I am so glad I know you!