When I started writing this post, I had something completely different in mind. I asked my mom, what should the title of this Monday's entry be?! I didn't want her to know what I was writing about and my description was, "what should I name my post that only talks about one worldly thing that I couldn't possibly live without...?" He response to me was this, "Start writing it first and then it will come to you." For those of you who know my mom (or even if you're only acquainted with her on Facebook), you know she is a great writer! So... I took her advice and started writing that 'materialistic' blog of mine. Oh, by the way, this was all on Saturday. And then, it all changed! You know those times where you spend like two weeks writing your talk for sacrament meeting and then you wake up that morning and you think to yourself, "Shoot! I can't get up there and say that!" This was one of those situations. Rest assured, I am just postponing that other blog until next week. It can wait, this one can't.
On Saturday, I had an experience that taught me a lot. Without any details, I'll start by saying that things haven't been easy breezy for me these past couple of weeks and months. Nothing serious, don't worry. I'd just been having a hard time figuring out where I'm supposed to be and what I'm supposed to be doing. It's such an awkward time of life and I'm just not sure how to take it sometimes. I can be having the time of my life one day, and the next, I have no idea what happened. I feel like I am giving a good effort to make the best of it, but even then, I have to figure out how to do that.
Saturday night was the first time in who knows how long that my family was all together. Just us. We barbecued together (and of course, we burned the chicken), then we went bowling. For the life of me, I cannot remember the last time we ALL went bowling together. I didn't even know my dad was really good at bowling. I must have gotten his genes there because I won the second game with 5 strikes!! That has definitely never happened before. I haven't even been practicing... Then it was off to Baskin Robbins. Mmmmm Mmmmm good. On our way there, we blasted some MJ and rocked out to "Beat It." I mean, we REALLY rocked out with the windows down. You may think we're weird, I don't care, we were having a good time and everyone we passed was smiling! Well worth it, I'd say. Do any of you do that with your families? Or alone...? haha because I do.
While we were driving home (still rockin' out, mind you), a song came on that had a humongous impact on me. Were any of you raised listening to STYX? Some of my favorite memories include riding the car with the top down and blasting the STYX Greatest Hits album. The song that came on during this particular occasion was "The Best of Times." It was in that moment that I realized that these truly are the BEST of times. Things aren't easy right now, and maybe they never will be. But that's ok. I have some of the best friends in the whole world. My four very best friends were rockin' out with me in the car and I wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else. Here are some of the lyrics:
Tonight's the night we'll make history
Honey, you and I.
'Cuz I'll take any risk To tie back the hands of time
And stay with you here tonight.
I know you feel these are the worst of times I do believe it's true.
When people lock their doors and hide inside
Rumor has it, it's the end of Paradise.
But I know If the world just passed us by
Baby, I know I wouldn't have to cry. No, no.
The best of times
Are when I'm alone with you
Some rain, some shine
We'll make this a world for two.
Our memories of yesterday will last a lifetime.
We'll take the best, forget the rest
And someday we'll find
These are the best of times.
It occurred to me that I can make any time the best time. I also recognized that any time I am with my family, I feel loved and important and needed. I know that when I'm with them, I have a place and a purpose. I'm not expecting to get married anytime soon, but I realized that the girl I get to marry will be pretty lucky. I don't say this because she will end up with me (haha), but she is going to become family with the four best people I know. Dad is always there to provide and support for us. He is constantly sacrificing everything he wants and needs to make sure that we are well taken care of. Mom is the most supportive and encouraging friend anybody could ever ask for and she will love you no matter what. Lauren is the one always encouraging us to do better and she is the family 'protector.' Don't let her get around you will an airsoft gun if she suspects you've done something to hurt one of us! And Tanner will always keep everyone on their toes and laughing. He can make even the most terrible times something to smile about. I'd say that I've got everything I need. The worldly stuff can wait. I get this forever.
