Today was a Sunday. I love Sundays, because they always feel like an afternoon nap, restful, warm, peaceful. Today started as most of my Sunday mornings do, a trip to Krispy Kreme. Warm, familiar, sweet. Then my mom and I drove to church, as we always do, and attended the same service, in the same church, in the same seats as we always do. I felt comfortable, safe, but soon realized as I listened to the pastor I grew up listening to, that I was bored. I wanted to see something new, I wanted to be unsure, and have no expectations. Later in the day while I was visiting my dad, we made a trip downtown, because we had nothing else to do. We were driving and listening to beautiful music and we were happy. We stumbled upon a little concert on the east side of town, and decided to stop and listen. As we were walking up to the tiny outdoor stage in the parking lot of an old car wash, I discovered that we were the youngest of the crowd. I looked at my surroundings and smiled. All around me were the coolest old people I’ve witnessed. They were dancing with their eyes closed, smiling from ear to ear and hugging strangers. They were living for the music on stage and fully in the moment. This was new, this was exciting, this was hopeful. After this little outing I returned home, to my mom and dogs, and was still happy. This was familiar, warm, this was home, and I was happy. This Sunday I discovered that I need adventure and discovery to keep myself feeling alive. But, I also discovered that it’s OK to have familiarity in life, and a place you enjoy coming back to again and again.

—By Anna T., 15, Austin, Texas