I love holidays because they mean I am able to spend time with my family, neighbors and friends from home. It is absolutely wonderful to be away for school, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Moving away for school has taught me a lot about self-reliance that I thought I already knew, but really didn't, as well as simply what it's like to live with girls. I think I may have mentioned this in earlier posts, (but maybe not, I haven't reread them recently) but I am the only daughter in my family so living with only girls is sometimes really weird for me. I've learned to make new friends, and hopefully keep in contact with many, as well as had friends leave on missions and get married.
But more than anything, I really have learned how much I love my family. Friends come and go, move in and move out, serve missions and get married, but for better or worse, family is still family. I find over and over how grateful I am for the knowledge that my family loves and supports me. I'm looking forward to the next 3 semesters: for the friends, experiences and memories, but I am SO happy for the Holiday Season--which for me encompasses Thanksgiving, Christmas and NewYear--and the opportunities to see my family!
I love all my friends, both from Logan and Orem, as well--some, I don't see often, but when I do, it's almost like I never left, others I see all the time, and I love every minute I'm able to spend time with friends!--however, I've been thinking about life in general lately, and I can't get over how weird it is that I've been away for school for 3 semesters, and I only have 3 semesters left to go... 1 1/2 yrs... How fast time flies!!! I can't believe it. However, I will admit that I think I'm already getting senioritis. I think that's one of the things that's really stressed my appreciation for family (not to mention the Holiday Season brings about extra expressions of gratitude): I am a Junior in my program, most of the people I know are Seniors; several of my friends from my program just graduated, and another bunch will graduate in May. In 3 semesters I have made friends with those several years older than me and now I get to say goodbye to them. So to those friends who just graduated, or will in May, "Farewell! I wish you well in your life and all your future endeavors. I know that you will succeed in everything you put your mind to. I've enjoyed this opportunity to get to know you and become a friend! I hope we are able to keep in contact, but know that you have touched my life!" For those of you I've just met, or will meet in the future, "Thanks for the impact you've had in my life! You are wonderful and I've loved getting to know you. I'm glad for this opportunity to continue to know you and become friends." To those of you getting married, "I wish you all the joys of life! You are absolutely fantastic, and you and your spouse are PERFECT for each other. I know this is a generic comment, but no one I know ISN'T perfect for each other. You were blessed in your selection of companions. Thank you for your joys, memories and companionships. I hope you find full joy in your life and would love to stay in contact. Haha, I would prefer if you didn't disappear off the face of the earth, but I understand if that's what it appears now that you have each other!" To my family, "I love you. Thank you for always loving me and supporting me throughout all my life!"
To all: I wish a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! In this time of Celebration, let us remember those we love and who love us. But above all, I want to share my love for my Savior. I could never be who I am without Him. As it is CHRISTmas, let us remember Him in this time. Let us be as a story I heard recently: in an elementary choir concert a song called "Christmas Love" was sung with all letters held up by students in the class C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S-L-O-V-E except the "M" was upside down and so a "W." At the end of the song, and almost simultaneously, the audience saw the unintentional message that is so true "C-H-R-I-S-T-W-A-S-L-O-V-E: Christ was love." As we continue throughout our lives, and we individually say farewell to the season for another year, let us remember the love Christ had for each of us, and in some small way reflect that love to others.
These have been my thoughts at this time of personal reflection at Christmas and the New Year: times of new beginnings, and I wish each of us all the support in our goals and struggles.
Thanks for reading. It's been a great year!
Farewell to the old; it's now time to welcome in the new.
