The Mall at Green Hills

To E. G.

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I confess I hadn’t thought about you in a while until tonight. I sat across from someone at Chick-fil-A who reminded me sharply of you.

I hope you’re doing well these days. I imagine that you’re married, maybe with a kid or two. I hope that you’ve found a career where you’re successful and are able to make a difference in the world around you.

I’m beyond thankful that God put you in my life for a season. You encouraged and blessed me more than you probably will ever know. The time you told me that you read my blogs still ranks as one of my all-time favorite surprises.

I will always think of you whenever I get those grape-stuffed leaves from Kalamata’s. I will always think of you whenever I think about The Mall at Green Hills and the time we  walked through that place without any idea of where we were going.

If it’s God’s will for me to marry, I hope she’s a lot like you. You are one of those rare people who make life better just by your being in it.

I doubt that I will ever see you again this side of heaven, but just know that if you’re ever back in the Nashville area, there’s an open seat at the Starbucks in Green Hills with your name on it.

God bless you, friend.

 

Things I Love 14: Back to Life, Back to Reality

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island hammock

OK, I confess. I’ve slacked off from reading the book that I said was so amazing, One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. It’s still amazing, but I’ve been distracted from reading by a multitude of things, mostly involving my ADD. So I do plan to resume reading the book at some point, but I continue with the list currently, starting at #322.

322) Those of you who are old enough now have that song by Soul II Soul stuck in your head, thanks to my oh-so-clever subtitle.

323) Grabbing coffee with friends at the multiple coffee locations around town (and I would love to meet any of you for coffee and conversation, preferably at The Frothy Monkey or The Well, but Starbucks works just as well).

324) When the Word of God comes alive to me and speaks to my life in powerful ways.

325) Fellow cat-lovers who understand that cats aren’t dogs, but can be very loving in their own ways.

326) Finally being able to speak the truth in love and not have the co-dependent, approval-addicted part of me worried sick about losing the friend.

327) Orange popsicles.

328) Still getting a kick out of trying to type out a word and accidentally typing the word “poop.”

329) The people who get my weirdness and love me anyway.

330) The honesty and vulnerability of the teaching pastor at Kairos, Mike Glenn.

331) Singing along with Stevie Wonder in the car (well, not actually Stevie Wonder, but his songs).

332) That Stevie Wonder is not driving the car while I’m listening to his music in my car.

333) I’m officially 1/3 of the way through my list of 1,000 things I love.

334) Really small Bibles.

335) God loving me when I’m most selfish and petty and whiny.

336) When friends have every right to write me off, but choose to give me grace instead.

337) Recognizing a thought for the lie that it is and taking it captive through the power of Christ in me.

338) One-hit wonders from the 90’s.

339) The Cheesecake Factory.

340) The Mall at Green Hills (even though parking there is a nightmare).

341) Because of Jesus goodbyes are only temporary.

342) Feeling God’s pleasure over me when I run.

343) Learning more about Jesus from faith-traditions that are different than mine.

344) The spicy chicken sandwich from Chick-fil-A.

345) The steak bowl from Chipotle with Smoked Chipotle Tobasco sauce on it (to add a little extra kick to the flavor).

346) Food in general.

347) My $5 polarized sunglasses from Savannah, Georgia that I still somehow have not managed to lose yet.

348) Being able to use the suffering and hardship in my own life to help someone else who’s going through something similar.

349) Little baby shoes. Even though I don’t have kids yet, I love how they can make boots and sandals and tennis shoes so small.

350) That I’m now going to start calling my tennis shoes “tenny runners” just to be different.

What a Night

/ Ragamuffingospelfan / 1 Comment

I met with some friends to see The Great Gatsby in 3D at the Cinema at Green Hills. Well, first let me backtrack a bit.

I started off arriving at The Mall at Green Hills. Not the Green Hills Mall, mind you. It’s the Mall at Green Hills. And when you say it, you have to hold your pinky a certain way.

I had dinner at Jonathan’s Grille. It was one of the best taco salads I have ever eaten in my life. I’m not kidding. I’m pretty sure I’m not exaggerating, either. It was pretty darn good. I think all other taco salads in the future will have to live up to this new standard of spicy awesomeness.

Then I went to the Starbucks where my friend used to be a manager and where I had a memorable evening hanging out with another friend (she probably doesn’t know this, but that was one of my best days ever). Needless to say, I have a lot of good memories there.

Then I strolled around the mall itself for a bit. I bought a much-needed car charger for my iPhone at the Apple Store. Thus, flush with the heady sense of accomplishment, I headed off to the cinema.

I met with one of my friends and we devised a strategy of saving seats for the others. Really, the strategy was that she sat at one end of the row and I sat at the other. Not too taxing for a Friday night.

The movie itself was a grand spectacle, as is the case with most Baz Luhrmann movies. It was very visually appealing with well-chosen music to heighten the drama and the intensity of the story. I do have to admit that I still prefer the older 1974 adaptation with Robert Redford and Mia Farrow, but the new version is amazing nonetheless.

At the end, I got separated from the group and got turned around and ended up exiting through the entrance doors. In other words, typical me. I sat in a chair in front of Starbucks for a little bit, then went home.

I have to give kudos to my amazing Green Hills Community Group for being a great group of friends, each of whom I hold dearly in my heart and admire greatly. Thanks for another great Friday night!