Blessed

We are blessed. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. We have electricity, clean water that can be heated if necessary, washing machines, dishwashers, TVs, iPods, AC/heaters, cell phones, safe cars with airbags, antibacterial hand cream, paved roads, foundations for our houses, good public education for our children, public officials who are generally not corrupt, a system where you are innocent until proven guilty, the opportunity for betterment and progress no matter who we are. We live the American dream, and we take it for granted every day.

Not only do I have the basic necessities of life, but I have parents who love me and who want the best for me, as well as friends who offer their love and support. I have so much to give.

Endings

I've always known that I have trouble with endings. I like to pretend that, "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened," is my favorite quote. Really , it's not. I am going to cry when I graduate because this means an abrupt ending to the life I love, and I am going to smile because of the wonderful experiences that I have had over the past 5 years.

Coming to college, I had no idea of the amazing journey that was ahead of me. I had the opportunity to study abroad in France and New Zealand, was a member of the BYU Symphony Orchestra, lived in foreign language housing, became enriched and enlightened from the many classes that I have taken, and met a whole lot of amazing people who have changed my life forever.

I need to remember the perspective of a beginning. The unknown is scary. Beginnings can be fun, fresh, new starts. To a large extent, we create our destiny. It is our every day actions that build up and amount to our future. Life is good, and if I could only have the vision to be looking back at these next 5 years…5 years from now…I think that I would stand all amazed.

I had the time of my life and I owe it all to You.