Let there be....

...love.

It's always around this time of year that I take more time to really evaluate my life. Fall in general does that, what with my birthday and the change in seasons and the new year quickly approaching.


I often think about the things in life that matter most to me. Some of those things change regularly. But there are some things, the fundamentals, that always have and always will be part of my life. Things that make me who I am and allow me to live, love, and interact. These fundamentals are the most important factors in my life, as I grow to love them more, somehow they find ways to return the favor.


Fundamental #1) Jesus Christ

He is my Savior. My foundation for living. There have been times in my life when I haven't fully appreciated the living gospel of Christ. But I would be nothing without it. I would be dead without Him, His grace sets me free. I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and I am happy to say that the church keeps a smile on my face. I know that the 'Mormon' church operates under the direction of Christ, and that is why I know it is the true and living church.

Fundamental #2) Family

My Dad - he inspires me. He encourages me to be the best person I'm capable of, then encourages me to be even better. He is the reason I worked so hard to get into a really good college and into a good program. He helped me realize the importance of making a good career for yourself. He tells me when he's disappointed, so that I know just how much he loves me when he says he's proud of me. When things are hard in life I can talk to him because he has felt it too, and he has really good advice usually.

My Mom - she is my rock. She really gets me, when I have a problem she is the one that helps me through it. I say she is one of my best friends, but that really doesn't explain the relationship we have. Our relationship is deeper than just friendship, because she gave birth to me, we have a connection that will never be broken. She is the one person I know I can always turn to when I need a shoulder to cry on because she and I don't fight. She's always there. I love her to death. I'm most definitely a mamma's girl, so it's pretty hard for me to live 2000 miles away from her.

My sisters - they are my educators. All my life I have looked up to my two sisters. They amazed me in so many ways. Over the years they hated me, who wouldn't detest a tag-a-long who's 6-9 years younger. The older we've gotten the more that has changed. Now not only do I idolize them, but I can go to them for advice. Between the two of them, they've been through it all, everything imaginable. So they pretty much have been the ones I've learned from. All their "mistakes" (which I wouldn't really call mistakes, more blessings in disguise) have taught me the lessons I wouldn't want to learn the hard way. I love my sisters. They keep me focused on where I really want to be in life, and who I want to be along the way.

My brothers - my protectors. Growing up my older brothers would always keep me safe when my sisters got too rough, they would intervene and let the wrath out on my sisters. When I got to the age where boys came into the picture, they made themselves clear. I love my brothers for keeping me sheltered and safe and not letting dumb boys do bad things. Even now they would gladly go to bat for me if I needed them to. For that I will always be grateful.

Annalisa - my best friend. Odd that after talking about all my biological family I would name Annalisa when I didn't say anyone elses names? Yes, I know it is. But even though Annalisa isn't part of my biological family I can't leave her out of this. She and I have quite literally grown up together. We've known eachother for over 15 years. She knows all my dirt, and I know all of hers. We share stories, food, clothes, and hopefully in a year and a half a roof. I admire so many qualities about her, her strength, determination (stubbornness), sense of humor, and so much more. We really are more like sisters.

Fundamental #3) Running

Running makes me happy. Plain and simple, odd too, but thats just how it is. It's actually partially scientific, but mostly it makes me happy becuase it makes me feel productive. It makes me feel like I'm going somewhere. It gives me the opportunity to clear a little space in the corner of my mind. I use my time running to clear out the garbage and dejunk my brain, and get rid of all my problems. I use it to focus myself and get my heart pumping to a new beat. When I'm running I don't have to be anyone or anything I don't want to be, because when I'm running, it is just me, the pavement, and the (almost) fresh air.

Fundamental #4) Music

Music is my lifeblood. Despite the fact that I'm not super musically talented, and have absolutely no professional training of any kind, I love to sing, and I like to plunk out simple songs on the piano. I would LOVE to learn how to properly play the guitar and the piano. But for now I love to sing. And more than that I love to listen to music. All kinds of music. If I'm not listening to music I have a hard time coping. It's kinda like August Rush, music is all around, you just have to listen for it.

Fundamental #5) Laughter

What more can I say. Laughter is therapeudic. It cleanses the soul, creates bonds between people, allows for harmony and unity. Laughter colors the world. Seriously, without laughter everything would lose its luster.

Life is about the fundamentals.