houston. the loving and leaving.

Spring is wonderful.

The sun comes back into our lives (when I leave school and the sun is out it just makes me a better person). The days are longer so I can squeeze more life into them. In just one day this week I got to: hang out at school with 16 hilarious children, surprise a friend at a wonderful birthday party incorporating frozen yogurt, cake, and some of the most amazing people in Houston, ate dinner with a sweet friend and hung out with her two amazing boys (including reading bed time stories to both), hung out in the said friends backyard with perfect weather, dog, and sons, picked up a friend and had dance lessons at our house before heading out to do a little two-stepping with the rest of the houston's best and finished up shopping for our fraction party at school the next day with the ever amazing toleran,t roommate :) Now friends that's productivity. Thank you spring!

Something else seems to happen in spring though in Houston. For the past two years I find myself watching friends as they move into new life somewhere besides Houston. Now I don't think Houston is the only place people should live. Just my friends. And it would be nice if my family were all near. So when my roommate of five years decided to move south of the equator I was really sad. Then that seemed to swing open the door and everyone seems to be leaving. After much adjustment and tears and growth (sorry for those who have been witness to the process). Just last spring/summer 25 people moved from my church family including several really close friends...you know the ones who you see them once a week and know exactly what to say, the ones who meet you for breakfast, the ones who's house always feels comfortable and right, who's questions are comforting and challenging, the ones who love my family just because I do...yeah those are the people I miss! Then school friends started leaving. So just as life started to stabalize, new roommate and friends, new routines...what's that? Springs back!

Birds chirping, flowers blooming, people moving. I don't like it. Not one bit. Now I will say most of these things calling people away are things I'm really excited about, but I'm selfish and want to have my friends where I can see them, hug them, hang out, and share life every day not only hear and see them on Skype (although I'm also thankful for this wonderful invention!) So last night I found myself having a nightmare that another round of amazing friends were leaving. In addition to the rounds that have already left or are in the leaving process now. I know some of the leaving aren't going willingly, but it doesn't make the fact that they're going any easier. I know I shouldn't be the one complaining. I get to stay, but Houston isn't Houston without the wonderful people. So I find myself staying up way too late. Doing bizarre things like going to watch drag racing. All for cramming in the maximum amount of time with my friends who I will miss more than they know. I almost feel like I'm living in fear of the next train that is coming and taking my friends.

Now I won't be in Houston forever. Atleast that's not my plan. I do love it. I'm not sure what will call me away. Don't have plans of leaving, but don't know what or where or when I'll go on to something else. What about you? When are you leaving? What will call you away? OR if you aren't here yet, what are you waiting on? Come have fun with us!!