Lovely/Foul

morgangster:

I need this tattooed on the insides of my eyelids. 

“What brings us home is not our discovery of the way home, but the call of the Father who has been waiting there for us all along, whose presence there makes home home.” -Os Guinness in The Call

1087. sunshine streaming through my window.
1088. a ruth sister.
1089. sweet frog time with the seniors.
1090. highlighter orange leaves.
1091. mom and pop coming to visit this weekend.
1092. late night walks on grounds.
1093. stopping for a late night dinner of chicken gumbo, cheese sticks, and a waffle after this walk.
1094. a warm hand to hold in the freezing cold.
1095. the harry potter study room in alderman library.
1096. watching some avett from the bridge. it’s a nice yearly tradition.
1097. smoothies and front yard lounging.
1098. flannel.
1099. pumpkin carving.
1100. the heated burrito blanket.

morgangster:

Yes, the Digital Atlanta Conference has been filled with learning awesome things about the tech and digital world from interesting people in cool jobs. But there’s also just a lot of ATL Love… folks who love their city and want to see it succeed, prosper, and define what’s on the horizon for technology, creativity, and well, living well. 

I was a little afraid all this ATL Love Talk was going to make me want to move to Atlanta (which has long been my nagging, irrational fear.) And while I do LOVE the people and the food and the creativity that makes up that city… I’m not yet convinced it’s the place for me. In a way, it made me more passionate about living in Athens. 

Athens, if you’ve ever been here you’ll know, is this wonderful little micro-city that breathes and synthesizes a unique culture flavor. It’s at one moment this robust, yuppy, scholastic enclave and the next it’s a teeming, swirling hotbed of music, art, and entertainment.  The food, outstanding. The people, so strange and smart. The architecture, southern hospitality and walkable streets make it a beauty to behold. 

Despite all that, Athens lacks a lot of what could make it into a world-class city where people want to live forever and not just an amazing college town where people stay for a few years before moving on to something more permanent. 

Athens is a transient place. As a permanent resident, this is something that aches my heart continually. I meet new people often knowing that they are only here for a season… mostly because of being in school or the lack of diverse career options. Athens is a training ground because of the University… and one that often feeds our talented residents to the nearest Big City when the pickin’s get slim. 

Don’t get me wrong: people love Athens. Anyone who has ever lived here will forever save a small part of their heart that is the shape of The Classic City.  But how do we build a community here that people want to invest in before they leave for something Bigger and Greater just down the road? I don’t have the answers but I’m excited to think about them and what it could mean for my beloved Pretty Little City. 

Can’t wait to stay with morgangster in the Classic City this weekend!!

I’ve been feeling the weight of adulthood lately—how easy it is to feel lost in the monotony of sleep, work, eat, repeat.  And I think part of my has lost sight of who God really is in this process.  So the discipline of thanksgiving returns.

1071. morning sunlight through my window.

1072.  the thumping bass that keeps me up at night—reminds me that i love my neighborhood.

1073.  re-reading a good classic.

1074. going camping tonight!

1075. pumpkins.

1076. best friends getting married.

1077. best friends moving to virginia.

1078. an eagle scout boyfriend to go camping with.

1079. a charlottesville third wheel and hot tub tuesday regular.

1080. a boss that encourages me to pray with my patients.

1081. patients that show me how quickly life can change or end.

1082. patients that show me God’s love when i need it most.

1083. a windowsill packed full of books.

1084. grey walls.

1085. a cousin living one hour(!) away.

1086. and these girls in that picture above.

I’m going to spend this weekend camping and trying to give thanks for things lovely and foul. What a good way to do it.

morgangster:

Somedays, the cardboard box that holds all the tiny pieces of your life gets left on the front porch during a monsoon and when you go to pick it up, the bottom falls out. All the varied minutia that make up You are scattered on public display. 

This is OK. 

This is OK when it’s Life… and it’s OK for when you are moving all your junk from your office because they’re remodeling.

Sometimes the box just breaks and it’s a mess for a little while, but you get up and pick up the pieces and if you take the time to sift through the wreckage… you can find some pretty cool stuff you’d forgotten about. 

morgangster:

Lately I have felt so loved by my community here in Athens.

Sometimes it’s hard to be a grown-up in a city so far away from family. Holidays amplify this feeling. Funerals amplify this feeling. Confusion and anxiety about the future amplify this feeling.

But I’ve been blessed with great friends and a church that cares about its people. I live in a city where there’s never a shortage of good food to be eaten or people to catch-up with or sunny days to enjoy.

Sometimes I feel guilty for not simply enjoying every second… for trying to micromanage my days and categorize my every thought. For trying to do too much and actually succeeding too little. At times for being too emotional. Other times for being a robot.

At Easter time, I’m reminded that family will always be family, no matter how far they are. But the concept of family is changing for me, also.  Family is not just blood, but it’s those people that you experience life with, cry with, get silly with, worship beside, and create stories with.

I am thankful for you, Family, in all the various forms you manifest yourself.

Feeling this so keenly here in charlottesville, too, Morgan.

Waking up in paradise. I think I could get used to this.