It was the blissful time of day when I was so happy to be like my dad. Early to bed, early to rise.
Eventually, I picked up my journal. That old leather bound friend that has been unintentionally put away, until I found it last week in a mover's box. Opening its dusty pages, I flipped to the last entry and realized just how long it's been.
June 19, 2014.
Had it really been that long?
Apparently, so.
This was surprising because I've faithfully kept a journal since I was 12 years old. I've documented every boyfriend, breakup, fight with my mother, growing pain, professional success, personal loss and everything in-between on those pages. Volumes and volumes of my life's story.
Except, perhaps, the most important part. The last 1 1/2 years. The years that I've been challenged beyond what I ever thought possible, and unquestionably learned the most.
Nothing.
So I opened my blog hoping that there was something three I could convert over. Nope. Only 8 posts in 2015 as opposed to 196 in 2010.
So I grabbed a pen, put on some light music and tried to catch up. It was an impossible task, but after 2 1/2 hours I had made a start.
I laughed, I cried, and I even muffled a few sobs writing about the loss of my beloved grandmother last July. Watching her die changed my life. Forever.
And in the end....
I felt relief. I felt peace. I felt like I was back home. Right where I belong because journaling to me is a form of meditation, reflection and release. It's how I somehow make the puzzle pieces of my life fit together into something that resembles a larger picture.
So I'm back.
Thanks for hanging in there with me because I can't tell you how much your kind words of encouragement and support has meant throughout this entire process. It's a benefit that I honestly never expected when I started The Daily Dose all those years ago.
But it's one I've grown to love.