Friday Happiness (Again)

It's been a surprisingly relaxing week around here. There's been a lot of porch swinging, beer sipping, and long walking around the neighborhood. This morning I sat in a coffee shop and finished reading Flannery O'Connor's Wise Blood (not exactly a feel-good book, but it did the trick) and eavesdropped on the barrista talking to the air conditioning repair guy. One was from North Carolina, the other from Maryland, and they were comparing notes about Mobile. It was amusing to me to listen to their likes and dislikes, while I sat nearby with the secret that I, too, am not from Mobile but I'm about to get the heck outta here.

Everyone I tell that we're leaving looks at me incredulously and says some variation of, "I can't believe you're moving somewhere with such cold weather." I shrug my shoulders and say something like, "I can't stand being sweaty," or, "I really miss wearing scarves." And they still don't get it. That's okay. I was born and raised in the cold and, doggone it, I do miss wearing scarves.

I keep trying to think of the things I'll miss about Alabama, things I should savor before they're gone. I'll miss the live oaks and the beach. I'll miss seeing blue skies almost every single day. I'll miss my favorite radio station and this tiny house we've made a home.

The other day, Adam and I sat on the porch swing and I told him that I wonder what I'll miss that I don't expect to miss. What am I taking for granted that I won't have when we move? I don't know. There will be things, I'm sure, and I will be sad about what we're losing when we move. But that comes with the territory, right?

What I do know is that it's Friday. The sun is shining and the beer is cold and I get to spend the weekend with the ones I love. For now, that's all I need to know.