Gratitude for you.

Dear friends and family and acquaintances,

I was just listening to President Monson's talk on Gratitude from General Conference this past October, and thought I would take a minute to express gratitude to those people in my life that make life worth living.  I can't even name everyone because each person in my life makes life worth living.  That is redundantly redundant.....but I'll say to each one of you reading this that I have been touched by your life and example.

First of all, my family.  I have a sister that can make me laugh, and even when she is going through something hard she finds a way to laugh at it.  She sent me a text today that said she peed her pants.  And tomorrow is her 20th birthday.  I know she sent that to me because she knew I would laugh at it.  And I did.  And then I told her how bad I felt for her.  I could go on and on about this hilarious, crazy, yet incredibly soft hearted and loving and nurturing this sister is.  Not to mention each other member of my family--a mother that cares deeply and shows it, a father who told me today that I am his little girl and am perfect in his eyes (ha...right), a brother who is tough and incredibly soft hearted as well, a younger sister who goes for her dreams and keeps her feet planted on the ground..cousins who bring me to my knees in gratitude because despite their acute health problems they still smile every day.  I have such a wonderful family.  Someday, you will see, we will all be sealed together :)

Secondly, friends.  Aw man what would I do without my friends??? What would I do without YOU.  I won't name names, but I have wonderful roommates who include me in their family things because I don't have family out here.  They make our apartment feel like a home.  And they ask how my day was every day.  I have work friends who make work fun and easy to go to every day.  Then I have friends in my ward who reach out and smile and ask me how life is, and they are great listeners and write me nice notes!  ha....Then there are my guy friends who I am so grateful for because they keep me laughing and help me not to take myself too seriously, and yet they can be serious as well and are great listeners and GREAT examples to me.

You guys all know who you are :)  I am so grateful to all the people in my life.  Each one of you. And I know that sounds trite and cliche and not at all individualized, but please know that I did think of you when I wrote this.  Thank you, thank you, thank you for showing love in your simple, day to day acts.  I appreciate each of you!  I don't know why I am so blessed, but I have been, and I just had to express my gratitude for those blessings.

<3, Shayna