Sitting in my parent's basement. Next to the newly-lit Christmas tree, which I may add, has numerous presents already underneath it with initials like J, A, L, and M signifying my four nephews. I have been shopping the past few weeks and I can not wait for them to open the presents. They will not be disappointed.
Yesterday afternoon I braved the 'storm of the decade' and started on my way home from Salt Lake. The hospital let us all go around 2:00 so that we could get home before the storm hit. Little did they know that I wasn't just going to my home ten minutes away, but to my real home two and a half hours north. When I left, the skies were blue and the roads were dry. But as soon as I hit Tremonton, everything changed.
I drove straight into the storm and continued in it for the next two and a half hours. It was horrible. Hands down the worst driving conditions I have ever driven in. At one point I was completely stuck on the side of the road and later down the road, I counted dozens of cars that had drifted from the 15. I dare say that I am lucky to have made it home.
Last night as I read status updates on facebook, I read how disappointed people were with the storm and the little amount of snow that had fallen during the few hours. The whole time I thought, "Really? Really? Disappointment with the storm that caused so many accidents, road closures, and delayed me for hours?" Ridiculous. I guess I just don't understand people sometimes.
Anyway, I am home. And ready for thanksgiving.
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As we all know, this is the time of year that we like to express (whether through direct contact or via blog post) how thankful we are for the many blessings in our lives.
Over the past year, I have realized that the church doesn't give out a handbook for young single adults who are freshly graduated, unmarried and starting their career. Even if they did, I don't even know what it should include. However, I have come to the conclusion that instead of a guidebook that can be read, highlighted and cross-referenced, the Lord chooses to provide us with opportunities to guide, assist and ease the transition.
Often these opportunities come when we are distressed, disheartened, disappointed, and metaphorically disfigured.
Or in other words, when we need them most.
So this Thanksgiving I am choosing to be grateful for opportunity. Specifically the ones that have provided a new direction for my life.
The opportunity to live so close to family that I can come home whenever I please.
The opportunity to worship, read and live the gospel freely.
The opportunity to live the life of an intern for two employers over the past eight months.
The opportunity to be a college graduate and to proudly stare at my diploma signed by none other than President Monson.
The opportunity to leave the comfort of my friends, job, and ward and move to the 'big city.'
The opportunity to spend time with the greatest friends in Salt Lake.
The opportunity to date and realize that relationships are worth the energy, love and pain exerted.
The opportunity to attend dozens of wedding ceremonies to celebrate with some of the greatest people I know.
The opportunity to be a son, brother, brother-in-law, grandson, uncle, and friend.
And the opportunity to work, laugh, read, communicate, remember, forgive, opinionate, agree, listen and express.
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