Did you get what you asked for? Eat until your pants button popped? Watch the 24 hour marathon of Christmas Story on TBS? Enjoy the company of your family and friends?
I know I did!
Not only did I pretty much collect a year's supply of shampoo, hair product and makeup from my loved ones (which I cleverly put on everybody's list so I would get duplicates!) But I also ate WAY too much food! Most definitely watched the 24 hour marathon of Christmas Story on TBS. Most of all, and my favorite activity of any holiday or ever, really, was getting together with friends and family and laugh and share stories.
Do you ever think that sometimes we take our family for granted? I do. I think we get so used to having them around that we don't think it's all too special to get together with them. I love all of my family members SO MUCH! but there is one family member I have come to appreciate lately. My Brother. My brother and I have never really had a close relationship growing up, probably because we used to beat the snot out of each other but recently he's been experiencing many wonderful changes. He and I never really got along as children. He's 4 years older than me and though we are close in age, the difference was enough that he wanted nothing to do with me when he was with his friends. We were absolutely not good at sharing, ever! As time when on and he grew up and spent more time away from home, he found himself in the awful habit of drugs. He got addicted to smoking and doing drugs so much to the point where I couldn't even talk to him. He was in and out of quitting and then not quitting and then quitting again. I wasn't sure what I could rely on and I prayed immensly for him. But as time went on, he grew older, and he finally quit EVERYTHING. Praise the Lord, I don't think Heavenly Father ever left his side. He's going to school now, bought a house, and is getting married in a year. I'm so proud of my brother! I love him so very much. There are many things I have learned from my brother. First, no matter what, even when you hit rock bottom, there's always a way to pick yourself up, dust yourself off and move on. Heavenly Father has blessed him so much and in turn has blessed me as well. He has been blessed with a beautiful woman who loves him and brings out the very best in him. She pushes him to do the things that are great for him. Second, I have learned that even in the worst times, there's always a way to make someone smile. My brother has the best humor of anyone I know (I taught him well, I know. Just kidding!) No matter how hard a situation got, I could always count on him to make a joke or make me laugh. Finally I learned, if you want something so bad you work hard for it! The process may be difficult and it may not be fun but working hard for it, never quitting and forcing yourself to be happy about it will bless you in the end.
Heavenly Father has worked through him so much! I hope that I am able to reflect my gratitude to Heavenly Father and love my brother! God gave me the greatest brother. I am SOOOOO grateful for every family member I have! I'm sure I'll talk about pretty much all of them by the end of this blog. I do have like 340 days left, haha.
I know that Heavenly Father loves ALL of His children! I know that He is with each and every one of us and I know He takes care of us. He will never leave us. I know that He is merciful and wonderful. I love Him and I hope you do too!
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