Deep Breaths.

Good conversation with good people is like breathing for me. I had my first deep breath in a long time tonight, probably since before the baby was born. Scarlett has been going to bed earlier so I have been able to get together with other med students' wives in the evenings and tonight was particularly refreshing. I don't mind packing around that cute baby and hanging out with other young moms, but there is something different about getting together without an overflowing diaper bag and a cumbersome car seat and all the other trappings that come with such a small person. It is more relieving coming in empty-handed, ready to be filled with good stories, good humor, and validation. I sat there with my hair pulled back, no make-up, glasses on the edge of my nose, in my BYU-Idaho sweatpants, eating my third cookie, and feeling completely at ease with these real and beautiful women. I felt myself settling in a little more--getting cozy with this phase of my life in Kirksville, Missouri. There was even a part of me that ached knowing that this is such a fleeting time and soon enough we will all part ways. There is nothing specific from the night that needs mentioned, just a general feeling of warmth that I want to hold on to. So for now I will hold my breath, hold in this feeling of contentment, and hope that the breath was deep enough to carry me through till our next meeting.