The summer of driving…
On June 1, my dear friend Krista and I packed up all of our belongings into our tiny cars, said goodbye to the beautiful friends (both new and old) that we had the privilege of spending the year with in Austin and began the long journey back to Ohio. Why? You may ask… To spend the summer months with her before the joyous occasion of her entrance into the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia on August 15! Krista and I have been friends since we were twelve. Her friendship has been one of God’s greatest blessings in my life and I simply could not pass up the opportunity to spend the remaining months with her before our friendship would take on a new life as she moved into her vocation.
The beautiful Italian family I was working for in Austin, was headed back to Italy for the summer. I knew that I needed to find a job right away in order to make ends meet, but every time I prayed about it, I felt the tug to spend the summer months with Krista at home in Ohio. Finally, one day, I surrendered the conflict to the Lord and that day I received an email that the family I had nannied for in DC was in need of a nanny for the month of July! I had my answer.
So, after the long drive home from Texas, Krista and I set off for a month of road trips to see friends and family. Before we knew it July was upon us and I was headed to DC where each week I worked four days and then drove home to Ohio for the weekend. August third I made my final trek home from the District, only to hop back in the car for more exciting festivities: my soon to be sister-in-law’s bridal shower, the wedding of a dear friend in Chicago, and tomorrow I will find myself in a car driving towards Nashville and the convent Krista will soon call home.
It is bittersweet indeed as this summer of driving comes to a close. It means no more living out of a suitcase and no more sore muscles from sitting in a car for hours on end, but it also means the end of a summer of great joys, shared sorrows, new beginnings and unforgettable memories.
To conclude, I leave you with an excerpt from the inscription Krista wrote inside the book she bought me for me birthday. I think it sums it up well:
“A toast to the heights and the depths, to lives of true culture, beauty, love, and always Christ!”