Stop and Smell the Roses

This weekend I took a little roadtrip up to the hill country. Beautiful hill country. Grandpa Jack and Grandma Lois were up there for awhile and invited me up to visit for the weekend.  In my twenty-three years I've been to a few different states and visited a few different sites but have never really experienced them.  I've lived in Texas for two weeks now and have really grown to like the change of scenery but still miss Kansas and the people there.  Driving up to the parking lot of Walgreen's in Burnet, Texas and seeing my grandparents wave from their van was like being home again. 

Texas is beautiful.  For the first time I was able to really see the world around me.  In Kansas I never paid any attention because it was home and nothing new.  Out here everything is new.  The weather is different.  The people are different.  The driving is different.  Nothing is familiar.  For the first time, I was able to stop and take it all in:  the sound of the water rippling in the lake at the resort, the absolutely huge logs that constructed the houses at another resort, the smell of the fresh country air, the stars shining bright.  Stop and smell the roses is a cliche that gets tossed around a lot but really hit home this weekend. 

I was also able to spend some really great quality time with my grandparents.  I hadn't realized but it has been years since we've done that.  Just the three of us.  We played skip-bo last night and I had to get a quick refresher course on the rules (I'm still not sure how many were legitimate rules and how many were their own).  My opinion may be a bit biased but nonetheless, they are truly two of the most amazing people I know and the best grandparents anyone could ask for.  They have some of the best stories to tell and tell them so well.  I was entertained all weekend.  Lightbulbs magically turned on in the cabinets and Kaboom was left to dry on the shower doors. 

Driving home late this afternoon and on into this evening, I was able to take in a beautiful Texas sunset and then before entering the city, able to see the stars again.  It was a relaxing weekend full of love, entertainment, sharing memories and telling stories and also making new memories. 
My goal is to try harder to open my eyes and truly see the beautiful world that God has created.