When Nothing Makes Sense, Being Together Does

In February, I scooted off for a few days to be with my family in Tennessee. A weekend sandwiched between some really hard days made me so sure there’s no place else to be.

Ten hours there, ten hours back. I love the drive, and have always liked long trips. The introvert in me comes alive - soaking in podcasts, processing what hasn’t been given the proper space, and a lot of conversation with the Lord. So much of these long, independent drives is pausing to just be with Jesus. It’s become my favorite part and why I will continue to opt for them over a flight (which, to me, takes the same amount of time when it’s all said and done).

I spent Saturday-Tuesday in the small southern town the majority of my family calls home. Still gathering together in the home where my dad and his brothers were raised. There’s something about homes like this - filled with rich family history and memories that draw us all right back to the familiar spaces. Sunday afternoon, following a particularly hard morning, we trickled onto the pickle ball courts, little by little, until our family’s cars filled the parking lot, our kids filled the playground, and the entire family filled the courts. For hours we played. We didn’t forget about the people who aren’t there anymore, but we did what we’ve done so well since experiencing loss after loss. We pulled together and let the rest fall away, even if only for a few hours. We allowed it to be lighter within the company of the ones who get it, who dig their heels in the mud next to each other and carry the weight we sometimes can’t even verbalize.

That day I kept hearing this same phrase: When nothing makes sense, being together always does.

Last July, still within a year of losing two of our family members, we decided to take another “Travis Girls Weekend.” We started these a few years ago when all the Travis men would go golfing for the weekend. Eventually, we caught on and decided all the girls could travel somewhere for a weekend, too. At the end of the day, all any of us craved was to be together. So, when it was time for another golf trip last July, we had a decision to make - do we go anyways, even though it’ll never be the same? Of course we do. So we braved the loss. We braved the silence. And that was the first time I heard, “When nothing makes sense, being together does.” The Lord is so gentle in reminding me that just when I want to pull away, when it’s easier to close myself off, He made us for togetherness.

I am thankful for so many reasons, but more than anything I’m thankful for friendship with Jesus that unites us and draws us all in.