Melody Man
Hi Melody Man of mystery…
I’m sorry it’s been a rough week. What part of the work and life and LIFE have been hardest?
We can commiserate together if that helps. I’ve got some family obligations right now that I really want to live up to, but there’s a giant obstacle making it difficult for me to focus lately.
Do you ever feel like sometimes God sets something in front of you and says, “Let’s see what you do with that?”
Like, no matter how hard I try to move past it, the obstacle won’t budge. In fact, now it’s just a daily hurdle directly in my path that I have to jump over. The worst part is—and I know this is all very vague, but you are my diary at this point, so deal with it—I don’t hate the hurdle. In fact, I reallyadore himenjoy it, and any time I’m running in proximity to the HURDLE (lets keep this analogy going), I just want to stay there with the hurdle directly in front of my face. It’s preferable, actually.He’s got a great face.
What do I do with that? How do I pray through it? I’m a Christian, too. I know God isn’t unaware of my situation, or yours—and that He hears us—but it definitely feels nice to talk to someone else about it, too. Even if it is in running analogies.
And a runner, I am not.
I’m here for ya, MM, and will sincerely pray for you, but maybe you should tell your best friends how you feel about whatever it is that’s going on. I’m sure they’d want to be there for you, too.
Now, let's get down to the “nitty gritty” (shameless Nacho Libre quote). I don’t care what you say or why you put “Achy Breaky Heart” before “Bohemian Rhapsody” but I will not allow “Mmmbop” or “Cotton-Eyed Joe” to go without mention. They are earworms of the worst offense, and I will have to fight you on this. But we can both agree that, yes, “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey is the number one BEST song to get stuck in your head. There’s something about that song that makes me wanna dance in the street like no one’s watchin’.
Do you have any songs like that? Maybe that will be our next category. Head on over to the Move It or Lose It section. What was the last song you danced to? Or that you wanted to dance to?
As for your most important question, YES, breakfast for dinner is the simplest of luxuries. My best friend’s mama makes the most amazing biscuits I’ve ever tasted in my life.
I’m heading to meet a sibling for actual breakfast right now, then on to my aforementioned giant obstacle. So, now you know I make my visits here in the morning. I suppose we likely won’t be running into each other.
Praying for you,
Mood Music
6
TAKE ME TO THE RIVER
ALEX YURKIV & THELMA COSTOLO
“I love it!” Georgia said, clapping her hands and leaning closer to Ginny’s computer screen. “It’s absolutely perfect.”
“Really?” Ginny felt relief wash over her. She’d worked night and day on the perfect design for Sugartree’s new logo. After several iterations of using muted colors, various flowers and new catch phrases, she’d eventually settled on the simplest design. One with simple lines in black and white, showcasing a small corner store and trees lining the quaint streets it was nestled on. It’d made her think of the old train station turned coffee shop where her parents had decided to spend their retirement years running Good Start and pouring into the community they’d called home for over ten years.
“Yes, really! It’s elegant, but simple. AndHome Sweet Home…” The phrase she’d framed the image with. “I think the town will love it. I’m so proud of you, Virginia.”
Ginny beamed under her praise and accepted her sister’s embrace and cheek kiss with the warmest of welcomes. Georgia had always been the only one of her siblings, every once and a while, to ever refer to her as Virginia. Maybe it was the motherly instinct in her as the eldest of their group, but Ginny felt like,at that moment, Georgia saw her not as a baby sister, but as an equal.
“Thank you.” Ginny bit her lip. “I also kinda made one for Good Start. Think you might help me get Mama and Daddy on board with a little rebrand for the shop?”
She clicked a few times on the keyboard and brought up the new logo she’d created for their family coffee shop. Another simple design, but one she was equally proud of.
“Absolutely, I will. This is lovely. They will totally want to use it.” Georgia sighed and sipped her coffee, eyeing Ginny over the rim of her mug. “Now, business is over. No more shop talk. Tell me about your life.”
“You already know everything, Georgie.”
“No, I don’t.” Her sister waved her hand at Ginny, then tore a croissant in half, tossing a piece in her mouth. “Since football started, I feel like I only see ya at practice, and then you scurry off as soon as we’re done. You should come out with us to eat tonight. Mama and the Colonel are watching Davey. We could karaoke or hit the diner here in Honey Hill.”
Georgia wiggled her eyebrows, as if she knew her sister couldn’t resist the offer.
“Who else will be there?” Ginny asked, running her finger over the rim of her empty mug.
“The whole crew. You, me, Lake, Caroline and Griff, Blaire and Evan, and Ryan, I’m sure. Probably some of the others from the team.”
