I would have never been able to guess this little cute thing, my littlest sis, is now a whole 5 years old and in Kindergarten and is still, of course, a burst of sunshine in my life.
Or how this awesome man I would marry is my very best friend in the whole wide world.
Or how I would be lucky enough to have such amazing family all the way around supporting and rooting for me {and us} every step of the way! 
My life is beautiful, through all the thick and the thin, through all the great and the not so great....it is beautiful. I love my life and I love seeing other's lives transition and change and blossom around me as we all incrementally grow and learn in the big and little things. I love the people in my life that make those great and not so great times the very best of times because they love me and because they care.
Last night as we left my parent's home I said, "Thanks mom and dad!" Ya know, like I always do and my dad sort of took me by surprise by then saying, "For what?" I really could have numbered off a billion things and I wanted to laugh because, what am I NOT grateful for....that might have been easier to answer but I just said, "For everything!" And for some reason I kept thinking about this on the way home. I could have said, "For bringing me into this world first of all!" haha. I just think that my parents and ALL parents are SO great. Parenthood truly is divine. Parents do things for their children without even batting an eye when others look at what they do as such a sacrifice....and yes it is a sacrifice but I guess for those you love and care for with every fiber of your being, it doesn't seem like such a sacrifice. Character is what we have when no one is looking....or when we think no one is looking right?
Well I am so blessed to have loving parents and many sets of parents all around me in my family that are such good examples of true love, wisdom, compassion and charity. Parents may think their children are not listening or watching but they are and if they don't do what you want them to do now....they will eventually, once they come to the realization that, "Ya my parents were right and now that I am away I don't have to taunt them with my defiance and I can choose on my own to clean my room or do my homework or whatever..." I can see more clearly why good parenting, while very challenging at times, offers great potential for happiness and why parenting and raising a family is what life is really all about.
Elder Tom L. Perry said, "The influence of righteous, conscientious, persistent, daily parenting is among the most powerful and sustaining forces for good in the world." I love that quote and strive to more fully understand what it means in times to come but for now I will observe and take in all the crazy, wonderful and beautiful things that happen in my life and be always grateful for awesome parents. For a loving Heavenly Father who blesses me daily in my life and who is truly my father in heaven and the greatest example of what a parent should be. God is not some omnious being in the far out universe, he is our personal guide and friend, very near to our hearts and minds. The life he has given us are beautiful things never to be taken for granted. Every day is a new and exciting adventure and that is why I choose to embrace each day with an enthusiastic welcome, no matter how it looks.
1 comment:
This post is beautiful. =)
And you are beautiful.
You just brightened my life. Even though we were only roommates for one semester, I am so grateful that we maintained communication, even if it is just via blog. You have really impacted my life and I think about you often. Thank you for your wisdom and your tenderness. It means a lot to me. =)
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