Familiarity

I'm sitting on my bed right now. I hear Chaleece laughing that amazing laugh she has from Rebecca's room. My door is open and I see Lauren walking back and forth doing her laundry. My favorite CD of the moment is playing in the background and my room smells like a combo of my vanilla candle and cooking pumpkin bread wafting from downstairs. And I'm debating with Shawna whether to pack a suitcase rather than a duffel bag.
As I sit and take all of this in I am struck by a familiarity of it. Almost like deja vu. Then I figure out what it is. It reminds me of when I was little and my family would prepare for summer vacation.
Mom would be in the kitchen making cookies, brownies and other goodies for the trip while going over the plans for the millionth time.
Dad is packing the car grumbling about how in the world we need this much stuff and switching loads in the laundry.
Emily and I are in our rooms with the doors open for a change with our prospective music playing. Going back and forth asking if we are bringing this or that. Usually I'm packed first and I sit in her room and keep her company and push her along as she starts her packing.
There is a sense of excitement for the trip to come and all the adventures we are going to have.
I feel safe. I feel comfortable.
I've missed feeling this way. Like what I'm doing at this moment where I am at this moment is right.
Like Lauren commented on my last blog "You will make it through the year... maybe with tears in your eyes and tired hands... yet you will make it."
and I will

Love and miss you all