Homesick

I am still exhausted after returning from Brooklyn. One week at home, and then I will have to get back to work.

I am home with my mom and dad, and from the looks of Dad, he needs my help. She looks frail and her hair has begun to thin out. The alternative medicine wasn’t working, so she decided to go the traditional route. I truly wish she hadn’t. Seeing her like this now, I wish I had come sooner!

For the first couple of days, I take over for Dad and all his labor of love for her. I tell my mom all about our trip to NY. How we met Jenny while eating our lunch at that restaurant. How amazing it was to help others. The beautiful places and art work I was able to see while we were there.

I could tell she tried to put on that brave Mom face, but I knew better.

She isn’t well and neither am I…

.Lily

Brooklyn, NY ... Part 2

New York. What a dream come true to walk these streets.

Danika and I just spent five days helping a local ministry called Chosen People, Shalom Brooklyn. The ministry includes street evangelism, where they pass out reading materials and reach out to the Jewish Community about the New Testament. Danika was great at all that, but I just found it hard to talk. I wish I had a Danika I could turn on and off in my head.

On Wednesday, Danika and I stopped for coffee and met Jenny, who is currently in high school and plans on attending college to become an investigative reporter. She is extremely outgoing and very friendly!! It was exciting getting to meet someone with a similar career.

What an amazing opportunity this was for Danika.

I will not forget this incredible group of people.


.Lily

Mission Trip to Brooklyn, N.Y. ... Part 1

Say what? Yes, you heard it here first!! We, Danika and I, were asked if we wanted to help her church and go with them for a weekend!!! Can you believe it? Me neither!! New York City, an author's dream!

I have continued to go to the Bible Studies with Danika and I was so surprised when they invited me to go with them, but Danika assures me it is easy to help others. Although I am still so worried about my mom.

Well, it’s time to pack my suitcase. The library won’t miss me for a few days; I called my supervisor and she said to have a great time. She was actually happy I was going, aww!

My first trip to NY! Here we come!!!

.Lily

Unpublished

Danika and I ran into our friends from last year! Remember the boys from last summer? My friends in baseball!!

Danika and I had so much fun. We ran into them at the same restaurant. We said hello and had a great lunch. We laughed about my former knowledge of baseball, which was none… I certainly never thought I would admire them both for their athletic ability and for what these guys do within our community.

The book that was going to be the start of it all for my career as an author has not been published… failure was never an option.

Failure is not an option.

.Lily

Summer

So I got my summer job back in the library.

I needed this to keep my mind occupied. I am still worrying about my mom and my dad; he stays busy at work, then takes care of my mom when he comes home for lunch. He is helping keep an eye on my grandpa now too.

It used to be my mom who would make sure he had good meals, see if he needed anything from the store, make doctor's appts for him. And other odds and ends errands.

So as I head into my junior year, I think back to when I was a freshman (has it already been two years ago?) and see how much my life has changed since then.

I get to help the librarians put the books away, and as I do I remember my dream from this morning.

I am getting better at remembering my dreams, although at times I do struggle, especially if I am startled awake by the alarm.

*Note to self… So library shelves awaken my mind.


.Lily

Dream Journal Entry

I am underground, back in the tunnels. Rog is no longer with me. I can hear others, but I cannot see them.

It is a familiar voice that speaks now. In the distance, but I cannot tell how far... almost as if a few rooms over, like in the dorm, or somewhere else in our apartment.

How did I get here? It’s as if I have been here, familiar, like home but not home.

I hear James’ voice!! How do I know if this James is the “Refraction” in my mind or not?

“James!!” I call out as my voice reverberates off the tunnel walls and echoes through the corridors, and then I realize I am able to see... I am not in a tunnel at all, I am home.


.Lily

Vivid Dreams, Not...

Since I had my vivid dream, I have been trying to leave the pen and journal near my bed, so that by the chance it happens again, I can write it down quickly.

All week has been me trying to wake up slowly. How do you do this if you are waking up to an alarm, truly?

I needed a break from all the cancer research I have been doing for my Mom. So I have decided this week to look up websites on tips how to remember your dreams. I failed miserably, week 1, Ugh!

I never thought I would say this, but maybe I am just overthinking everything!

I only have a few more weeks of school left, and I haven't written much this semester with all that has been going on in my life. I miss writing my stories, and I miss reading books; instead, it has been mostly what is required of me to read.

How about you? Anyone else remembers their dreams? I don't think I am good at this yet? One more thing I need to practice, I guess.

Well, it's time to go back to deep sleep, Let's hope I can remember where I was in my last dream!

.Lily