in exactly 48 hours, we’ll be out on the open road. at least i think so, even if it does not seem possible that by that time i will have finished all those things i am meaning to do before i leave.

i will have packed up all the semi-organized piles that are currently scattered about the house. i will have chosen which books are going and which books are staying behind, as well as which kitchen treasures are truly necessary in life and are making the cut.

i will have attended one of my favorite events of the year at our church, senior night. students to whom we have grown quite attached will lead us in worship, show us pictures and video that encapsulate their distinct personalities and make us cry as they get ready to leave us. two of these students are ones for whom i have said prayers for a very long time, since they were babies, one even in the womb. (which makes me older than i feel most days) by the time we come back, they will have flown away. to make their dreams come true as they hold onto jesus. i hope.

i will have broken one more phone (oh yeah…i already did that yesterday) which makes three this year, which means no more phones for me for a while.

i will have returned all the library books, even if i haven’t written down that campground in wyoming yet. and i will have returned borrowed books, movies, tupperwares and cds.

i will not have quibbled with taido about any more details, i hope. i will have gone with the flow, as grandmother says.

i will have said goodbye too many times. to too many people.

in 48 hours, it will just be too bad if i didn’t get the floor swept (sorry, lora!) or didn’t make fresh energy bars. too bad if i didn’t get that last card written and mailed. too bad if i didn’t use that last bag of lettuce. it will all be behind me. finished or not. i will take a deep breath. and look straight ahead.