Flashback...

My husband calls me a pack rack and well, I confess....I am! That is definitely a huge weakness of mine and at times I try to attack my clutter and "downsize." I know I don't need to keep every single piece of paper or card and I have gotten much better as I have gotten older. John will not agree with me on that but I do think I have made some progress. Today, I saw a box in a closet that I knew I had not touched in a very long time. I was about to start a trash pile when I opened a shoe box of old cards and letters. It was one of those moments when Lydia was sleeping, Luke & Matthew were entertained and I got lost. I sat on the floor and started reading these cards. They really took me back.

First of all, I had a ton of mail.. I mean cute cards with handwritten sentences and even writing on the back of cards. Who gets personalized mail anymore these days? Oh, what I would give to receive a card in the mail than all the other mundane reminders of adult responsibilities. I looked at the postmark (yes, the big dork kept the envelopes as well) and they were dated from 97-98. I was instantly thrown a decade back to the girl who was about to graduate from UGA, starting my first adult job out in the "real world," meeting "the one," getting engaged and planning my wedding. Did you get all that? You should have seen all the different addresses. I was just moved and got teared up when reading the words from my friends. I had birthday cards, Christmas cards, and mostly cards of friends telling me I was being prayed for and thought of. I was taken aback and again it reminded me of the seasons in our lives. I am so thankful for that season and have such vivid and precious memories. I thank God for that season and for those friends and sisters in Christ who were praying for me. I have not talked to some of them in a very long time. Life has taken us all down different paths, not to mention the additions of little ones and geography challenges.

I do miss the girls. But, I embrace this new season and look forward to the Christmas card family photo, the e-mail updates and the quick phone conversations in the car where we pick up like it was yesterday. I also embrace my 30's (did I just say that out loud?) as I keep looking upward to Jesus for His call and direction. As you see, I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up!

As for the box of cards..I heard a loud noise and knew I had to see what the boys were into and quick. I closed the lid and packed the shoe box into the other big box and put it back in the closet. I barely got to the middle of the box and I know I will want to continue someday. So, for now they will remain in the closet a little longer.....

Had to post a college pix. Go DAWGS!! Do you love my Ray-bans?

I was roommates with Karla (left) my Jr. year and with Melissa (right) my Sr. year.