nail polish and zombies.

I walked through the door.

I was in sweats and a sweatshirt.

It was at least a hundred degrees outside.

What can I say? Conditioned air makes me really, really cold :)

We jumped into conversation almost immediately, catching up on what seemed to be eons of time spent apart. Really, it had only been a couple of days.

The nail polish stash found it's way to the table, and we began to trim, file, and paint as words ebbed and flowed.

I'm not sure that I could name a topic we didn't cover. There even might have been a moment where the words "speaking of zombies..." left my mouth, and I proceeded to discuss some guy eating another's guy's face in Florida earlier this summer.

This is just one of many things I love about my sweet friends, though: nothing is off limits. nothing is deemed untouchable.

you know what? this does my heart good.

regardless of what this little blog may lead you to believe, there is so much of life that is not shared in this space. as it should be. the tear streaked pages of my journal can speak to this fact. perhaps that's why I find myself understanding Jeremiah. He is called the weeping prophet, after all. Sometimes, I echo his cries. The world carries wounds and stress and fighting... and it gets overwhelming.

but my friends? my beautiful friends? they hold my thoughts and my emotion so gingerly. with such grace. They have taken my story and chosen to link arms with me, walking with me through deep trenches and shark-filled waters. They breathe courage over me. They speak bravery into my bones. The texts and conversations and facebook messages all filled to the brim with the hope of Jesus and His life-giving words to me... they remind me how needed community is. They remind me just how beautiful vulnerability is, even when it's painful.

So tonight, I'm thankful for girl's nights. I'm thankful for nail polish and avocado and listening to the fears and dreams and wonderings of my sweet friends. I'm thankful that nothing is off limits: even zombies :)

But most of all, I'm thankful that God didn't create us to journey alone. This flesh and blood can move and breathe and come alongside. My heart can hurt, rejoice, grieve, celebrate, and learn with others.

What a privilege.

Tell your friends you love them. It never gets old.

Love to you,
Lyss