A Year Of Thanks

Just a couple weeks ago, we were in the midst of conversation when Jim asked "If you could go back, what year would it be?"  I quickly responded with my usual "25 years old".  For nearly twenty years, the year I was 25 was the one that I had always held as the highest standard of years.  Well, after a little more conversation, I mentioned that this past year has to be one of my best ever!  

I told them that this year wasn't the most perfect year and it wasn't always happy.  But, it has been a great year filled with growth.  I cannot remember a year when I have felt more blessed.  This year, I have drawn closer to my family as we have worked together to achieve common goals.  I have experienced loss, losing an aunt, uncle, cousin, and one of my closest friends from college as well as my little buddy Maria.  While the pain hurts, my life is better because of all of these people have passed through my life.  I have been blessed with a great experience of running for county office and have met true salt of the earth, genuinely wonderful people.  The highlight of the year was the addition of my new nephew and being honored to have him be named after me.  

But the one thing that has given my much pause this year has been my parents leaving on an LDS Mission.  As they are two of my closest friends, it was hard to tell them goodbye for 18 months.  I am not ashamed to admit, that I cried when they left.  But I knew the experience ahead of them was once in a life time and I was excited for them to receive the blessings that would be coming their way.  Now, as I have spent the last couple of days with them and met some of the people that been in their lives the past several months, I know that they are where they need to be.  I have had people that have thanked me for sharing my parents with them, I have heard people tell me how much they love my parents, I have seen my parents share their love and talents with others.  What a special experience it has been for me to be here at this time of year.  I know that I have been blessed with amazing parents and I know they have attributes that they are able to bless others with.  So, this year, spending Thanksgiving in a different place, surrounded by people I don't know, I am thankful to have been here and experience a different kind of Thanksgiving.  

I have so many different things to be thankful for this year.  My family, my dear friends, my trials, and of course the many great blessings and rewarding experiences I have had.  Thanks to so many of you for experiencing this past year with me.  Love to you all!