A Nice Break

I believe it has been confirmed why I don't live in a colder climate: I would not do well having to endure a longer, colder winter than what we have experienced here in Middle Tennessee this year.

We have been whining since before Christmas, having now had four "snow events" which is what we call it when snow covers the ground. I know you in the more northern regions are scoffing at me, but you just don't understand -- we're not used to this.

But I am pleased to report that God has heard our prayers and gave us a gloriously sunny day yesterday, with temps climbing into the 60s.

Even better, Wife and I found ourselves with very little on the calendar. We know that's about to change big-time, so we took advantage of it.

I had an early morning board meeting for the non-profit I work with, and Wife met FDIL, her mother and the florist for the wedding to discuss flowers for the wedding, reception and rehearsal dinner.

After my meeting I took a long walk and just thanked God for the beauty of the day. We are blessed in the community where we live to have wonderful walking trails that meander through wooded areas and along a flowing stream. It is soothing, much as the Psalmist described in Psalm 23. It definitely renewed my soul.

Wife and I met back up at home about noon. After checking in with Younger Son, whom we had not seen since Friday night (and whom we would not see again until last night; can you tell he's our last child at home?), we headed out. There is a wonderful, quaint downtown area in the town just south of us. We went to one of its best lunch spots which serves delicious soups, sandwiches and salads in an eclectic venue filled with random tables and chairs that could have (and likely did) come from flea markets.

After lunch we wandered along the streets, stopping in the occasional shop. Wife took me to the place where Older Son and FDIL have picked their china and showed me their names on a shelf next to a dinner plate. I am not much of a shopper and it was only because of the lovely weather that I accompanied Wife, and she seemed to enjoy having me along.

We then went to the hotel where FDIL's parents have negotiated a group rate for out-of-town wedding attenders, and timed the drive from there to the church, so we could pass on that information to friends and family. That landed us up in Nashville, in an area where we rarely find ourselves. We enjoyed the change of scenery and commented on how we should explore the area more often.

Back at home, with night falling, we were pleased to see Younger Son eventually come in and join us and we sat with him while he had something to eat. I guess we asked him too many questions because he gave us one of those "why are you being weird" looks. He's just going to have to learn to humor us during these last few months before he goes to college. Although being the youngest has had its benefits for him (our totally relaxed attitudes), he has commented on feeling a bit smothered at times. Frankly, I believe the benefits outweigh the disadvantages, so I'm not very sympathetic. I will probably have much more wisdom to impart before he exits and my time is limited.

All in all, it was a great Saturday, one on which we will probably look back with a sigh in the weeks ahead as graduations, a wedding, moves in and out and transitions begin to take center stage. I'm thankful for the unexpected pleasures of an unplanned day, and definitely thankful for the break in the cold.