Please Excuse Me While I Cry On Your Shoulder...

While writing yesterday's post I started thinking about my brother. I don't know why, but I just did. I was thinking about how excited I was that he will be graduating from highschool on June 5th and how I wanted to post video of his graduation on the blog for friends and family that wouldn't be able to come and for readers who have never been to a homeschool graduation. And how excited I was that he'll be going to East Tennessee School of Preaching in a little over two months. And then it hit me...

He'll be leaving in a little over two months.

Cue the tears. Yeah, I'm an emotional person. I laugh easily, and in this case I cry easily.

Seriously, I am so excited that he's going! I've encouraged him to be a preacher for a few years, but he just wasn't interested. And lo and behold, he announced to us after attending Polishing the Pulpit that he wanted to attend East Tennessee. He's starting a new chapter in his life. He's growing up! I'm so excited! He's spreading his wings and leaving the nest and I couldn't be more proud!

But still, for me, this is bittersweet. We'll still be able to visit and hopefully visit often. I know that when we visit we'll still be able to blare our favorite music while riding in the "granny" car. I know that when we visit, I'll still get to listen to the songs he's written, and hear him sing in his amazing bass voice. I know that when we visit, he and I will be able to pile in my bed and watch movies on my laptop. I know that when we visit, we'll be able to have fun and hang out with our friends in the garage till way past midnight. I know that when we visit, we'll be able to argue about who is the better barista. I know that when we visit, we'll be able to eat chocolate chip cookies and cookie dough till we make ourselves sick. I know that when we visit, he'll lead the song that I request on singing nights at church. I know that when we visit, I'll be able to give him a detailed summary about the latest Karen Kingsbury book I'm reading. I know that when we visit, I'll be able to get a guy's perspective on whether or not the clothes I'm wearing are modest. I know that whe we visit, we'll be able to remember all the fun times we had growing up.

But still, it will be when we visit. It just won't be the same. He won't be right down the hall.

I'm the kind of person that likes to enjoy the season of life I'm in to the fullest, so that I may fully enjoy the next season when the time comes. But still, change can be bittersweet. Just because I might cry and seem sad doesn't mean I don't look forward to the future. Normally, if I can have a good cry or two or three or ten, I'm able to fully embrace what is coming around the bend. So, please excuse me while I cry on your shoulder and blow my nose into a tissue. I promise I'm fine.

Things are about to change around here, and I can't wait to see what God has in store.

Little Women

                            (photo credit)

Last night, Moma and I watched Little Women. This is one of my favorite movies! On my top 10 list :-)

It's funny how a movie can evoke such rich memories and feelings. Little Women is the first movie I saw in theaters! I was 3 and a half. I actually have a few memories from that first movie theater visit. I remember having my "Moma Baby" with me. (I don't know why I named her Moma Baby, but that was her name. She went everywhere with me!) I remember being so small that when I sat in the theater seat it folded up with me still in it! The one scene I remember the most is the Christmas morning scene. My little 3 year old mind couldn't grasp why they were so excited to have sausage and butter. I didn't completely understand why it was such a sacrifice to give up their Christmas breakfast to a family who didn't have any breakfast at all. And I didn't understand why Amy was holding the orange the way she was :-)

                            (photo credit)

Over the years, the characters in this book/movie have become more and more real to me. They don't really seem fictional. I feel like I can relate to all 4 sisters. Meg, the oldest and most "proper" one out of the bunch is almost like a second mother to her younger sisters. Jo, the adventurous one. Not afraid to do things differently and not looking for the approval of her culture. Think unconventional :-) Out of all the sisters, I feel like I can relate to her the most (if any of the local community theaters put on a production of Little Women, I think I'd have to audition for Jo. She's one of my dream roles!). No, I'm not a tomboy, not anywhere close. But, still, there's something about her. I feel like we're kindred spirits. She wears her heart on her sleeve. She's not afraid to be different. And as long as she's doing what is right, she doesn't feel like she has to fit into a certain mold. At the same time, she isn't rebellious. She loves a good story and loves to write. She loves her family with all her heart. The night she cut her hair, Beth wakes up to her crying. A few years ago, when I cut about 10 inches of my hair off, I did the very same thing. I cried the rest of that day!

Then we have Beth, the quite one. She loves being at home and helping others. She loves her piano. She is closest to Jo. They would be lost without each other. The youngest is Amy. She's the bubbly one. Very concerned, almost paranoid, about her looks, especially her nose. She's most frivolous out of the bunch. She also matures greatly as she gets older. A wonderful artist and the most beautiful out of all the sisters.

                     (photo credit)

This scene of the movie is the most touching to me:

When all those memories come rushing back at Jo and she starts writing her story. Jo finally reaches the turning point and allows herself to put her heart on the page. *sighs* I takes my breath away and makes me cry. I love it.

This isn't the only story/movie that evokes. I love a good story. I love having characters that I can relate to. I love having characters that seem more like friends than words on a page. Just another part of my somewhat quirky personality I guess :-)

What stories, songs, etc evoke memories or emotions in you? Please share :-)