Thankfulness

Retrospective outlook hits me around the holidays. I'm going to use this post to let the world know what I am thankful for from this past year. So sue me. I don't care if you think it's cliche :)

~ My house and all my new roommates have been a lifesaving force for me this year. I'm already starting to tear up thinking about you all. As I take a deep breath in and try and control my emotions - I'm currently sitting in our apartment while you're all out and about - I can't help but think how amazing each and every one of you have been in my life. I don't know where I would be. Honestly. Your friendship, your laughter, your time and energy, your encouragement. I can't say enough. Wow - holy moly I can't control myself. I've now begun to literally cry! Deep breath... zen... ahh... OK. You all are such a miracle. This house and its outlook and its strengthening and challenging community has been more than I bargained for - in a good way. Sure we've had our construction challenges and our heat (and closet!) issues, but things are starting to come together in the physical sense. One thing I've noticed, though, is that we came together in the spiritual/emotional sense from the beginning and that is so rare. God so orchestrated this people and our connection that I can't stop thanking Him for what He's provided in this crazy amazing neighborhood we call home. Hoping the next year is just as wonderful!

~ My college girlfriends and the amazing men they've found in the past few years. We've had our struggles and celebrations this year and yet we still manage to make each other important. There are deeper connections with certain girlfriends than with others - that's only natural - but we make the time and stick it out. We're (hopefully!) meeting up again this coming spring and I love that we've started this tradition of at least seeing each other once a year. We're all within (mostly) driving range and I'm so thankful for you, Michelle, Carrie, Katharine, Sarah, Abby and Kate. You've made my memories of college so colorful. The men you've found, Shell, Kate and Katharine, could not be better. They each fit you perfectly and I am so proud that you each waited for that right man. To Carrie, Abby and Sarah (and me!), I know we will be blessed in the same manner! Patience and trust in God, right? ;-)
I love you all.

~ To my family. There are no words. I've cried on the phone with you, laughed over Facebook with you, celebrated holidays and birthdays at home and from afar. I am so thankful that I can talk to any of you about my day, my life and be so honest and open. I'm so proud of my parents and their marriage and family they've raised. Not to boast of my own, but to let them know they have done a fantastic job and raised some fantastic kids. I'm so grateful for my best friend, my sister. I am so happy you are nearby and we can meet up for lunch in Boston or spend a Friday night together on a double date with Ben & Jerry. I love that you have jumped into grad school and are making your life what you want it to be. I love that you are so invested in your friends and are being such an example of a strong courageous young woman in the "big city". I'm so glad that I can talk to you about anything. Danny, you have become such a man of God this past year. I am so proud of you! The discussions we've had and the phone calls we've shared are so meaningful to me. I know you're not the mushy kind, but let me get this out. You are so wonderful and you have grown so much. I am so proud of each and every decision you have made and you are on the right track, dear brother. Some girl will be extremely lucky one day to call you husband. And to the youngest, the joy of our family, Tim. I love you. I cannot believe you are almost halfway through college! I love that you always tell me you love me every time we end a conversation. I love that you give me great big hugs when I see you and that you are always there to let me poke you and tease you. We are still little kids at heart, eh? You are going to make a great man and leader one day. I know it. You are such a gem.

~ To the new friends and church community I've found this year: thank you for taking me in and including me so quickly. Thank you for investing in me and letting me join in this community of Boston. You have shown me what it means to take Christ's words and make them real. How to invest in the poor, the lonely, the angry, the poor in spirit, and in one another! I have never seen such a tangible act of Christianity in my life. Living amongst you and with you has taught me so much in so little time.

~ To my Savior, thank you. Thank you for loving me and accepting me even though I am troubled and weary. I'm not adequate or loving enough. I'm not what I want to be, yet you love me. Why? All I can do is say thank you. You've blessed me so much this year and I am so excited for once in my life to continue on this path You've written out for me. I have learned that You have yet to even reveal the beginnings of Your plan for me and that I need to trust you and be patient. I love where I am now and I would not want it to be any different. I trust you with my future.