Anniversaries and Such

Of course I didn't know this until I recieved a ton of emails from higher ups and my managers scared me with a loud "Happy Anniversary." but today is indeed my anniversary with the bank.  (A least with this bank, Hometrust does deserve it's dues for those 3 months in NC.)
Anyhoo, time flies!  I would never had thought it has been 3 years.  Three years ago when I got a full time job in SC and solidified that I was in Sparkle City to stay and not returning to Asheville.  It was a scary move at the time but looking back and seeing the twists and turns taken by those I left behind in Asheville, it was the best move I could have ever made.  It took time but I now have this amazing life, with a good job, great friends and the most incredible church family.  Best of all, I have the Corbins sitting on that hill in Asheville like real life guardian angels, proud of who I am and where I am.  I have said this many times, but there have never been people more full of grace than them.  They loved me, cared for me, nursed me to health and then let me go with God. 
So three years in a job, but 3 years of so much more.
Thanks to Debra, Suzanne, Harriett, Meredith, Donna, June and of course our long lost Freddie (Baltimore has no idea what it gained.)  You guys are the best!

The old homeplace...

Once upon a time there was a church that was in walking distance to the most ghetto of apartments. In the apartment lived a young girl trying desperately to convince everyone and mostly herself that she was a grown woman. She had no car and she had never learned to drive anyway so a car would have done her little good. This young girl did have a desire to be in God's house. She had prayed for two years that God would give her a church home in her new city of residence. On faith she walked the few blocks up the street to this large brick church with the copper bell tower and tall white columns and inside she found her home. Baby blue walls and shag carpet in a sanctuary decorated with butterflies hanging from the chandelier for Vacation Bible School.
That was how my love affair with Calvary Baptist of Asheville began. I only spent four years serving there and I can't remember all of those, but it was the place grew up into the woman I wanted to be and found a family that is in all ways as dear as that which was given to me by birth. I was in Asheville for a short visit and I couldn't help but stop and snap a couple of pictures of this home of yesteryear. I now call another baby blue walled CBC home and and greatful to do so, but I thought I would pay a little homage to where I came from.

New Year, Old friends...

In making the end of year collage for 2008 and reading my pal Carrie's comment I am forced to think of the people who are missing from it. It was a great year, but looking ahead I have to say there are people I want brought back to the forefront in my life. The YaYa's, although were there as always to end and begin the year with me were distinctly absent from the rest of the year. The fault of course belongs entirely in my own lousy lap, and that is a situation that needs to rectified in the coming year. (Of course the two weddings should help greatly in that matter!)
Carrie and Bill. There have been times when they were the pillars that held me up. Carrie, who brings fun and laughter to a whole new level and Bill who makes me absolutely crazy, but grounds me like no one else. Their son is of course my nephew int he way that college makes a family and I have yet to pinch his cheeks like a good spinster aunt ought too. Again, a situation that must be fixed.
I suppose most obviously missing are the Corbins. How did I go a year with only 2 weekends in Asheville, and no pictures?!?! These are the parents and family I chose. They are a huge piece of my heart and in the silent moments I have felt their absence most severely. Living well and happy without them as a constant is probably the greatest testament to them and the health that they fostered in my life, but it is bittersweet. I need them. Not to have a reason to get up everyday, but just to love.
It's New Year, resolution time. Yes I need to loose weight and that's fine and good. I've given up soda and we will see how that goes, but more importantly I want to stop giving up time with my friends. That's my resolution.