We met in Oakton, where she lives, and it brought back some memories about my Nana. Driving down some familiar roads, one where she used to live, reminded me of my trips to Vienna to visit her when she was all alone in her floor-level apartment. Carrie, Anna, and I would sometimes have fights on our way up there, or been mad at each other about something before arriving, and we would bring our bad attitudes with us to Nana's. Poor, Nana. She just put up with us selfish runts.
She was the best Nana you could find, always complaining about how she couldn't stand Rush Limbaugh, yet having the radio tuned to him all day long. She always made my favorite pasta dish when we visited, and had candy in jars around the house.
It was always cozy there.
Sometimes we'd go to her community pool. Mariah was itty bitty at the time, I doubt she even remembers. And sometimes on my way to her house I'd stop at the Coffee Beanery to get a coffee. I wish we'd visited her more.
Anyway, being with Aunt Betsy yesterday, and even visiting her house, made me remember Nana. Maybe it was because mom and Aunt Betsy highly resemble her too, in their own ways. Their stances, the way they talk, their thin hair. :)
Being with family has been just what I needed right now. I'm not a big social person to begin with (aside from family). I like to keep to myself most days. I find my energy in being alone, in peace. It's where I get a lot done, where I find inspiration, and where my mind is rejuvenated. I get anxiety and stress when I'm around large groups of people, or even when I have to pretend that everything's alright when it's really not.
I just....like to be at home. Home is where the heart is. And home is also where family is.
Anyways, it was good to be with family. There's a sense of uplifting-ness when you're around each other. And even when not all of you are "with it," just the mere presence of all of you together, knowing you'll be there for each other, is a great feeling.
I'm thankful to have my family. For the way that we love one another and don't judge each other. For the safety that we find in our friendship. For the nice things we do for each other, getting each other gifts when we're sad, and saying prayers for each other when we're down.
Carrie, mom, Levi, and I went to Ross after we visited Aunt Betsy's. Mom took Levi to the dollar store and bought him some more swords (insert eye-rolling emoji here!). She loves that boy to the moon and back, what can I say? I love their relationship. And she also bought me a snicker's. She's so thoughtful. It's still sitting in my freezer, calling out my name.
I felt like we had all run a marathon by 4:30, when our day was winding down, but somehow I only had about 2500 steps logged. I do NOT understand it! Probably more mentally draining than physically. Sometimes mental running around can be more draining than physical! AMIRITE?
And does anyone else have a love-hate relationship with northern Virginia? I think that's a big part of it. Driving around in a car all day, sitting at stoplight after stoplight, merging onto highways and trying to hear the lady on your iPhone map tell you where to go while your 4yr old is asking you 900 questions in a row can be a hoot! A mental breakdown hoot!
As much as I hate NOVA, I love it. I love that D.C. is right around the corner, even though as of late that thought kind of scares me. I love that 7-eleven's are on every corner, that thousands of mufflers spew smelly fumes into the air throughout the day, and that you can always find a house with a light on inside, somewhere, on any given night. <3 p="">
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