Pro-Life and Positively Lonely in a Hailstorm

"Ka-dunk! Ka-dunk! Thunk!" The hail hit my car like no other. I thought to myself as I drove down the very narrow (too narrow in a raging thunderstorm) road leading to the "big scary castle building" (as Sam likes to call it) at St. Greg's, "Good thing I have insurance." I pulled up to the building where Sam was going to come out and I saw her running through the lightning and hail like a warrior on a mission. The mission was to stay alive. And....she succeeded. We drove, in the pleasant, car-denting storm, to my apartment so that we could be idiots and stay up til 2 am instead of going to sleep like we should as responsible adults. As I neared my apartment, I thought it looked awfully dark and I realized...the electricity was out. Up we went on those steps to my apartment and I was very much reminded of another time we went up and down those stairs in the pouring rain...forever rain...that followed me on a 1500 mile trip. 'Twas a fun trip. Anyway, hello, talking about a Rabbit Trail. So, we entered my apartment and I knew my trusty roommate would have candles lit. I have to share my joke. After I got in my apartment and was safe and cozy I said, in reference to the storm, "What in the hail?" HAHAHAHA!! (Jamie, surely you can appreciate that one if no one else can. Remember our conversation on that phrase?) It was interesting because me, Sam, and my roommate just sat in the dark for a good hour, hour 1/2 and talked about one main issue: Obama and abortion. It was a very good conversation. A debate was occurring. Sam and I were on the same page (both VERY pro-life) and my roommate was on another. I said several things until I thought the debate might get decently heated and then I munched away on Nutella and saltines while listening to my cohort and opponent go at it. I get irritated and angry when such an important issue arises and someone is opposing me and I don't debate too rationally so it was probably good to let them have their time. :) Sam was much more kind and patient, while still taking a strong stance, than I would have been. I need to work on debating with kindness and patience... Anyway, so this sparked my in-depth talking mode in my soul...if you know me at all, this means that I am more than likely analyzing myself and others around me in a very dramatic, but possibly accurate, way. "Oh brother..." is probably what one would think of me if they could just see this mode of mine coming on. For when I get in this mode I start thinking and thinking and thinking and can't stop. Which in turn makes me talk, talk, talk, talk and I won't shut up. But, anyway, the electricity finally came back on and almost burned out my eyeballs. Sam decided she was going to sketch the Care Bear I bought for Elia. His/her name is actually "Share Bear". So, Sam was sketching this bear and I was talk, talk, talk, talk, talking and I was thinking as I went on and on and I realized something last night. I have always found it strange how very important my friends are to me. Not strange in a bad way. Strange in an unusual way. And it dawned on me: I, being de-parented, single, and somewhat alone (not alone in Christ, but in the human since of the word) find my support and my happiness in being the best friend I can be to my closest and dearest friends and hanging around them as much as possible. I realized this by talking to Bear-Sketcher (Hey, Sam, you are the cotton stuffing to my bear...) because I started out saying, "How is it that all my friends are so busy but I'm not?" Sam kindly said to me, "Carmen, you are busy...you just make time for your friends." And, it hit me. I leave a lot of time open for my friendships...for relationships in Christ...for they are what help me thrive. And, I realize, that is not a bad thing. Maybe it's good that I am a "loner" right now. First of all, to spend more time with Christ. Secondly, I am the friend that, when my closest friends call me to hang out, I usually can. And, while almost always being available can come across as loser-ish, it is not. Because sometimes people just need or want a friend to sit and talk with or just be around. And, it is so nice to be able to be that friend. So, from now on, I need to consider that a blessing and not a lack. Right, guys? Right. So, if you are feeling bored or lonely or something give me a call at 1-800-LOSER. Haha. Just kiddin'. 1-800-YOURBESTFRIEND/50 bucks a minute(another Jamie/me email joke...remember?). Haha. Just kiddin' again. Hey, Sam...you're the breast cancer awareness ribbon on my Yoplait yogurt cup. AND the cheer in my Cheerios. Whatdaya say to that?!?! Huh? HUH? So, to conclude this, I just want to say: I am so happy to have my friends. You are my God-given support in time of abundance and need and I appreciate all of you and I praise our Creator for bringing you into my life. Love you guys. And thanks for reading my incoherent story/analysis on life. :)