I want to tell you about the last two weeks, and how important connection has meant to me. It feels almost insignificant to write this after two weeks of glowing messages about camp. But I realized that after all of the pouring outward, I needed to absorb a dose of connection for myself. 

Since our move to Central Oregon, there are days I’ve felt adrift. Not in a dramatic way, but more like a low hum underneath everything. New town, new providers, new neighbors, new routes, new version of “normal” I’m still building. I know how to talk people through hard transitions but I still have to remind myself that all of those practices apply to me, too.

Then the last two weeks happened, and I noticed the hum quiet down.

I got to see a couple of my closest girlfriends, back-to-back. Not for big planned events, just life, and hanging out. I flew to Minnesota one week and had another friend come to me. In Minnesota we simply did life together for a few days. Drop-offs at camps, breakfast, walks, and watching shows. In Oregon we swam, hiked, and cajoled kids. With both friends, we laughed, vented, cried, and helped each other out. I got to share my problems instead of solving others; and, and instead of getting advice I didn’t ask for, I got beautiful friends who just listened.

On top of two sweet visits with girlfriends, my son visited and I’m deep into planning a special getaway with my daughter. None of this is extraordinary. But stacked together, these visits did something. I felt less like I was holding myself up and found myself laughing with ease.

Here’s what I don’t want to do: wrap it in a bow and tell you a trip fixes your problems. But you know what’s like salve on a heavy heart? Connection. Connection fixes everything when you’re feeling adrift and you aren’t sure what problem should be solved. Having people who know you, who don’t need the backstory, who show up without making it a whole thing, made the adrift feeling a lot more bearable.

If you’re in a season where you feel a little unanchored, turn towards someone. Just one person is enough. Find a person who actually knows you, who you don’t have to perform for, who’ll pick up the phone. If you have that person, call them. If you’re not sure who that is right now, that’s worth sitting with too.

This week is mostly about gratitude, and a reminder to myself as much as to you that we all need genuine connection.

P.S. This is part of why I care so much about the work we do at our Fall Conference, November 4–6. Relational health isn’t just theory for the families we serve, it’s something I have to keep practicing myself. If you want in, here’s the link.