Joy means a Smile even Through Sorrow

My heart is warm and my soul is full.

Yesterday my cousin Heather, my sister Hayley, and I went to high tea at the Tea Garden and had cucumber sandwiches and picked our favorite teas from the list of 120 options, then sat around sipping the warm liquid as it spilled down our throats, nibbling on chocolate scones, and musing over questions of love. The entire experience was rimmed with golden laughter and the love of family.

We proceeded to the theater, where we watched Bride Wars and exploded our sides with laughter.

At seven pm, I dropped Hayley off at home and ditched town to embrace a wonderful reunion with Bre.

We spent the night downtown and met a young man from Ireland, who called me gorgeous, gave us travel tips, and dropped the "F" word as much as we use the word "like." It was actually beautiful. Rolled off the brogue like honey.

I spent the night with Bre, fell asleep to Veggie Tale's Jonah, and woke to the happy smile of Abbe. We sat around talking in the kitchen, pretending we were going to leave and start the day but never quite got there. After berry pancakes and an afternoon of shopping, I ditched that town again and made my way to my cousin Kyle's new--BEAUTIFUL--home, where his mother shared important wisdoms with me and I remembered how fast I've grown up in the last month.

I don't remember the childish anxieties that used to pierce my gut and render me useless for hours. I don't remember the whine that squeezed from my lips.

Instead, my heart pours itself out daily and is filled with the love of the Spirit and the wisdom of His people. I am surrounded by the Faithful.

I am loved by the Friend.