The End of Hell Week

Honor band was spectacular. It was worth the 16+ hours in three days and the extreme pain my upper lip went through. I made friends, I "partied," I laughed, I cried. I made music. I fell into others' music. I sat on that stage, taking in the lights and our sweet conductor's smile and listening to the trumpets swell and the clarinets groove along. There really is no good way to explain band to those who have never experienced being in a magnificent concert band. It was simply great.

I went to the Baldwins' house tonight, even though my body screamed (is still screaming) for sleep. It was magnificent; I just love spending time with people, gosh darn it. Everyone bought my BS definition in Balderdash. Tony put together a sonic screwdriver, and Bradan hugged me of his own volition. We made a sort of cuddle train, with Erik leaning on Joe and I on Erik and Jacob on me and some auxiliary additions on the sides and by our feet. We were all snuggled together and breathed in and at the same time and such compression felt safe. I felt a sort of comfort that I would not have had with strangers or family or a bunch of giggling guard girls. It was nothing romantic, it was just warm, a safe haven where you felt warm and calm and soft delight while you watched the live action Grinch.

This was a really difficult week, but I made. It was excruciating at times, but I found a number of positivities each and every day. It was a perfect little microcosm of life, and while I'm so glad it's over, I'm so glad it happened.