Sundays.

Sundays have become my favorite day of the week. I just went back into my calendar to see how long this trend has been true, and I'd say since the middle of April I have been enjoying some great afternoon's scattered with family, friends, road trips, Europe, and days of quiet. 

Among the highlights:

1) April 19th: Busch Gardens with Chad, Matty, Tex, and Jessica followed by camping out at Bill and Meghan's apartment. Outlet shopping. Showing Jessica my pictures in the gallery, Cheesecake Factory... lots of laughter and goodness.

2) May 10th: Celebrating Mother's Day with Bill, Meghan, Courtney, and Mom. The weather was beautiful and the day was capped off smores outside with the boys. 

3) May 24th: Florence. My first full day, and I walked the three miles from my apartment to the center of the city and was captivated all day. It's where I met my first friend, heard a cherished song played by an artist in the square, read about all the places I hoped to explore... received the gift of being told I was beautiful. It was one of my favorite days when I was gone.

4) June 21st: my last night exploring Santorini. I still don't have words to describe the way I felt when I was in Greece. As I ordered the many prints online the other day I often found myself just looking through photo's remembering quiet moments, and conversations that I can't touch and struggle to explain. It was a magical place and time. I pray that in the arrival of the prints and the construction of the books that will house them, I will finally be able to share those 5 weeks I was gone with those I left here. 

5) June 28th: NYC with Tex and Mom. It was a great weekend home, a whirlwind and I was exhausted. But I had the best time just hanging out with 'family', loving the beautiful weather in a beloved American City, had Pinkberry... found myself quiet more then chatty and appreciated the time to just be with people after spending so much time on my own. With the transition to Virginia, I have often wanted to return to the safety I felt during that weekend, especially that day.

6) July 5th/July 19th: Days spent solo after church. Heard a great sermon on the 5th which in many ways "snapped me out" of the funk and emotional difficulty I was having. I had a great day hanging out doing things I love, it was pouring down rain and I couldn't have been less effected by the weather. Yesterday, another great Sunday. Church, talked to Jamie for a little bit, took Gracie for a walk- like a serious "lets go work out" kind of walk. She's passed out on the sofa right now, I think still exhausted from the adventure of yesterday. 

I have loved every Sunday, and even though I only mention Six there have been afternoon's at King's Island with Mandy, train rides from Venice back to Florence, a lazy day in Paris getting excited for Disney, and lots of pool time on the island of Sardegna, Italy.

This Sunday is July 26th, which celebrates a best friend's Birthday, and separately a bittersweet anniversary which reminds me of the passing of time. The boys and I are going to dinner to celebrate Matty's Birth and to remember the journey since California 2005 in losing Bill. I know that when I wake up on Monday, and head about my usual routine I will be thankful for another Summer Sunday of Goodness to add to the list.