My Nothing For Granted

This morning was a bustle of activity trying to finish packing and make sure we were all prepared for the 30-hour trip to Ohio. During which I experienced something completely new. I'm not sure there's a name for it, but there should be, because I know it's a common condition among the female nation, just usually not my age. Since my parents' divorce, the house my dad and I moved into has become very much my own. I now say, my kitchen, my house, my table, and the like, versus a simple "the". I suppose that taking the title has caused me to take more substantial responsibility for it. In my home I felt the overwhelming urge to make everything perfect for the house sitters that were coming, not leaving a speck of dust out of place; and as I left my darling pets I felt as if I were leaving children: not willing to leave either house nor occupants to anyone else's care but my own. But I did. I overcame it, somewhat, and left, as was my current responsibility to do. It was so bitter-sweet.

The rest of the day has been nothing but wonderful. I've spent it singing with my dad in the car for hours, coming up with names for some of the newest editions to my two-legged family, and enjoying the beautiful scenery that God has been so good to provide in these western states. I've been in a state that I've been missing for a year, I've talked with some people I love dearly, and I've taken nothing for granted. How can I possibly!? What's mine isn't mine and I have no right to it, but I still get to enjoy it. It's such a beautiful life He's given to such a wretched sinner...