04/08/2026: The Simplicity and Sweetness of All the Little Things
Today is a nice break from the usual busy schedule. As I take time to soak it all in, I’ll take this rare opportunity to rest and enjoy family time.
It finally feels like home now that we’re settled and building a new routine. I’m finally writing again on a semi-regular schedule, and I’m waiting on a handful of pending job applications to hopefully come through soon. Things aren’t like they used to be, so it’s a lot harder to trust that a job is even real. But I’m crossing my fingers and hoping I can lean on real living breathing connections here to find something meaningful for once.
When I’m not thinking about work and I’m not writing, I’m spending quality time with my loved ones. I’ve enjoyed seeing everyone; I’ve also enjoyed getting to tell them I’ll see them when I see them because I’ll actually be around for a while. I don’t feel so rushed and anxious now that I don’t have to cram everything into a week or a long weekend.
The change of scenery has already worked wonders for my racing thoughts and nagging need to be here or there, to do this or that in a certain amount of time. As I sit here and write, with a late morning cup of tea in front of me and green land and trees as far as I can see out the big window in the kitchen, I’m starting to think that I really could get used to this.
Someone told me recently that he didn’t know why I gave all this up after he saw the legacy my grandpa had built on his farm here in East Texas. I honestly didn’t know what to say, other than I wasn’t entirely sure either. But I suppose that’s not completely true. As most young adults do, I set off to find myself in the world, and I know if I didn’t allow my heart to grow more fond of the place where I grew up by leaving it behind for a while, I might not be back here now.
I’m glad life has taken me where it has, and I’m even more grateful now that I have the privilege of coming back home with a fresh mindset and a burning desire to seek joy in the simplicity and sweetness of all the little things. The best part about being here is that nature is at my fingertips, and the rain is frequent enough to rejuvenate my soul. All of my favorite things are just outside the front door, and out the window on those beautiful overcast and stormy days. Everything is green and blue, and there are so many places to just be still out here.
I think something has been healing in me since I returned, something I can’t quite place yet. But seeing Caleb happy and doing what he loves is definitely a contributor to the weight lifting from my heart. I feel more peaceful and ever lighter, and I hope it only keeps getting better and better as we spend more time here, returning to and reconnecting with our roots.