I could C R Y.
It’s been oh so long, friends. Posting this blog post (after a 2+ month hiatus) feels like a huge virtual hug to any person out there who is reading this right now.
This semester has been a wild ride. Graduate school (+ life / growth / relationships) has proven to be quite different and much more challenging than I could have expected, but c’est la vie, eh?
But in the spirit of {American} Thanksgiving tomorrow, I thought this would be a fine time to take a hot minute to breathe and show gratitude for the things of life — the happy, the hurt, and every detail in between.
This semester…
I’ve experienced profound friendships.
I’ve studied more than I ever have, but at the same time earned the most humbling and disappointing grades in my college career.
I’ve eaten some good-for-the-soul food.
I’ve doubted my ability to become a competent physical therapist several times.
I’ve been ceaselessly encouraged by friends, family, and God to keep on keeping on.
I’ve seen blue skies, gray skies, purple skies, and orange skies.
I’ve had fun nights filled with line dancing, cheers-ing, and singing at the top of my lungs.
I’ve had nights that didn’t seem to end even when the sun rose.
I’ve seen friends, family and strangers with even longer nights of the soul than I could imagine.
I’ve made myself some wholesome foods.
I’ve made myself think I’m eating wholesome foods.
I’ve felt hurt in ways that I’ve never felt before.
But I’ve felt joy and the feeling of being cared for in ways that I’ve never felt before.
I’ve seen what it means to be among beautiful women of God, who love to the very end.
I’ve hurt others in ways I never intended but still wish I never did.
I’ve had to humble myself and apologize for my wrongdoings, which happen more times than I can count.
I’ve accomplished things in mind, soul, and body through God’s grace, and I’ve seen others do even more.
I’ve seen tears of sadness, tears of guilt, tears of anger, and tears of joy.
I’ve cried until I didn’t know why I was crying, and I’ve smiled until I didn’t know why I was smiling.
I’ve dropped the ball in some friendships and allowed others to help me pick it up.
I’ve seen God in every single day, in all of these things which remind me that, although we are dying, we are living all the more. I am beyond thankful for every person and every motion of the heart that has made this semester, this year, this LIFE… something beautiful.
God is good. All the time.
p.s. if you want to read something nourishing for the soul, please do yourself a favor and check out my friend Kelsey’s blog – she writes about beauty and about humanity so eloquently it hurts.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I am grateful for you.