My Sissy

Sisters by chance (if there is a such thing as "chance"), friends by choice. This is a motto that my sister and I have always used to consider our relationship. I've always loved Rachie. Growing up it was a little different kind of love, probably just the cute little sister love. She would constantly get into my stuff, steal my gum, use up all my chapstick, and make messes in my room. I found it annoying when she wanted to be just like me, wear what I wore, do what I did, and say what I said. It was a good lesson for me to learn when my mom explained that she was a "copycat" and wanted to be like me because she liked me and looked up to me. I was setting an example worth being followed.

Now days, I look at how our sister relationship has grown to be a friendship. She's someone who has been there through the ups and the downs, the good times and the hard times. We enjoy the same hobbies, books, movies, bands, people, places, etc. She's become someone that I look forward to spending my time with and making fun memories. I watch her as she faces her challenges and accomplishments and the way she lives her life and her example is one that I've found to be worthy of following. I'm so grateful for her and her positive outlook on life. I love you Sissy! My little Skunkster ;)

Grateful for General Conference

I am so grateful for General Conference every year. It brings comfort and gives me strength. Thanks to President Uchtdorf for this special message that touched my heart. "...there is something that will take away the bitterness that may come into our lives. There is one thing we can do to make life sweeter, even joyful, and even glorious; we can be grateful." -President Dieter F. Uchtdorf 

Feeling the Warmth

I am so grateful for sunny days where you can actually feel the warmth from the sun on your skin. It feels more and more like spring time as the days keep coming and going. The air still has a slight chill to it, but if you stand still in the sunshine you can feel the warmth. Oh gosh, I love it! Everything is coming back to life after a winter... including myself. I'm starting feel alive again. I'm feeling the warmth.

Grateful For My Geet

I am grateful that I own a guitar. That I know a few chords. That I can write lines that rhyme. That I can create tunes. I am grateful that I can put my poems to melodies and create songs on my guitar. I know I'm not the best at it. I don't really know exactly what I'm doing. I've had no education in the matter. But I do know that getting these bottled up feelings set into rhythm sure makes me feel lots better. It makes my jumbled thoughts sound like there's some sort of clarity to the amiss in my clattered brain. On days like today, I sure am grateful for my geet.

Thankful For My Grama GeeGee

My dearest little GeeGee had a stroke this past Sunday. Family has been driving and flying into town, all rushing to say their last goodbyes. The docs are sure this is it this time and it's only a matter of days before the bleeding in her brain shuts her body down completely. 

GeeGee is a fighter and always has been when it comes to pain, adversity, and anything negative. She has been the most compassionate, charitable, optimistic person I have ever met in my twenty three years. She is truly Christlike in those aspects. You are her favorite, and you know that the minute she looks at you with her glowing smile, her bright eyes, and her heart that shines through her face. Everyone knows that GeeGee loves them. That's the kind of woman she is. That's the kind of woman she will always be. And that's the kind of woman that I want to be. 

I have never heard my Grama GeeGee complain. Not once. She's been living with so much pain; emotional and physical through out the years, and still she smiles and always notices the positive. While in the hospital the nurse kept asking her if she needed anything, where it hurt, if she needed more medication, if she was tired... She would smile at her and say "No, I'm fine dear." My Grandma and Mother stepped in and told the nurse that she would keep that up the entire time. GeeGee looked at them and said, "Well what good is it to complain?" What a lady... what a positive, caring, beautiful lady.

She kept up this positive attitude as the pain got worse and worse. She wanted to be coherent as all of her family was traveling to see her. She didn't want the medication to knock her out completely and so she asked for just enough to take the edge off. And she lay there in her hospital bed, not able to open her eyes, not able to turn her head, not able to talk, or smile, but just there where she could hear you when you spoke and could squeeze your hand for reassurance. The sacrifices she still makes for her family's behalf as she lay on her dying bed.... What a gift she has for giving. 

My GeeGee and my Grandpa Gray had the most beautiful marriage. My Grandpa passed away when I was small and so I only have a few memories of him, so I don't have an account of their marriage first hand, but everyone who knows the two of them talks about how pure their love was... and is. Giving, selfless service, and nothing but love...I want to be the kind of wife she is. Sacrifice, confidence builder,  and greatest friend...I want to be the kind of mother she is. Supportive, cheerful, remembering...I want to be the kind of grandmother is. 

Her last few words to me were that she loves me and to "have lots of babies." She'll be in heaven with my future babies. I know she'll be able to help prepare them to come to a world that is so negative these days. If there's anything that can rub off on them while they spend their heavenly time together, I hope it's her compassion, her charity, and most of all her optimism. 

Here's to the classy lady who has brought together so many people, who has touched so many lives, and who's legacy will go on forever. Here's to my Grandma GeeGee. 

Grateful for Prayer

Jesus declared, "And in nothing doth man offend God... save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments (D&C 59:21)." When we contemplate the incomparable gift of prayer and the limitless blessings that flow from it, honest appreciation fills our mind and heart to overflowing with thanksgiving. Should we not, therefore, continually and profoundly express to our beloved Father, as well as we are able, our unbounded gratitude for the supernal gift of prayer and for His answers that meet our needs while motivating us to grow?
          -Elder Richard G. Scott, Using the Supernal Gift of Prayer

The Ability to Read

I'm so grateful for the ability to read. I'm taking a Content Area Reading and Writing class for Secondary Education Majors here at school. I never really thought about what it would be like if I couldn't read until now. Think about it. It's like completely unfathomable. Serious. Imagine living in this world without having the skill needed to read... Hmm... just a little thing to think about. I'm grateful I can read.