The Greatest Gift

What is the greatest gift you have ever been given?

I've been thinking about the best gift I've been given a lot lately.

Now, just so no one thinks I'm a heathen, yes the Atonement would have to be number one along with the truth of the gospel and the gift of the Holy Ghost, but with that disclaimer aside, there is something else in my life that could never ever be replaced by anything or anyone else. And maybe this gift will change someday when I have kids or something, but I kind of doubt it because it has shaped so much of who I am.

I am incomplete without this gift. I would be a entirely different person had I never been blessed by it. And I'm extremely grateful to those who made this gift possible which must include both Divinity and my parents.

The Greatest Gift I have ever received in my life is actually two amazing gifts. My sisters.

I've been missing them a lot lately, and it really is hard to be so far away from them.

So, Julie & Lauren, you are my favorite people. I am most me when I'm with you. I suppose our siblings could have been anyone. But I can't imagine what my life would be like if we didn't have each other.

We haven't all lived in the same house now for about 12 years, and it will probably be about 50 more until we're little old ladies, wearing matching outfits and wide-brimmed hats sipping lemonade on our big porch (probably with binoculars close by for bird watching), but won't life be a fun adventure? People say they can't wait to grow old with their spouse, but I can't wait to grow old with my sisters. We'll be as crazy as those who came before us and I don't give a hoot. We'll have earned that right.

Someday, I'm sure we'll bury one another. But we know we'll see each other again, because no matter where life takes us, we're stuck together:) And it won't be sad because our lives will have been full, because we have each other and many others to love. Plus we'll have hilarious stories to share so people will remember what we were like when we could still touch our toes. And at the awesome party we'll have (because we'll celebrate the life each of us had, not mourn that one has started a new journey) Lauren will show off her awesome moves and say "In my day we danced like this."

I love you. Both of you, an insurmountable sum.

My sisters are the Greatest Gift I've ever gotten.

Dear World,

I don't hate you, so why have you conspired against me today?

Ok. I take it back. Today wasn't all bad. In fact, some parts were incredible. But some events have left a dark shadow over the rest.

I could be really negative about everything and be angry for a long time, but that doesn't help. So I'll try to look at the possible silver linings. However tiny they may be.

So about today....

I may be contracting chemical pneumonia from all the toxic crap I inhaled this morning for cleaning checks.

I can't paint my nails to save my life... (not a big thing, but I did once have a major emotional breakdown and my nails happened to be the last straw, so... significant in its own obscure way).

I found out my gums are growing and threatening to overtake my back molars (=PAIN).

Beekman 1802 Autumn scented soap.

Amazing hair day.

Got a really great job that I'm excited about.

May be able to take another class Summer semester, for FREE.

Mother Nature.

Got lost on my way to my cousin's wedding reception (Congratulations Sharon! Love ya! You're beautiful).

Got even more lost on our way to Park City. Which we never reached BECAUSE...

Possibly (Beyond a reasonable doubt) blew a front gasket.... overheated car, long tow truck ride home.... I'm expecting a bill that well exceeds my net worth...times ten.

However, on our "detour" the weather was beautiful and the scenery idyllic. Even if we almost did make it to Wyoming...

Our truck driver was really nice. Good guy. I hope good things come his way.

And even if my car has given up the ghost (the cost of repair is half the car's total worth, if not more), somehow it will all be OK. And as much as not having a car would suck, a tiny part of me would be relieved to see Penelope go. I've cried over that car far too often lately. But don't tell her that, another, more practical, part of me wants it to be a cheap fix;) but I probably shouldn't get my hopes up.