Celebrations Galore!!!

Between Graduation, my Birthday, Christmas gatherings, the New Year, and Cody's Birthday I have been shuffling from one celebration to the next for weeks now. My parents, being the fabulous hosts they are, threw me a party I will be sure to tuck within my heart and pack along for the journey of a life time. It was so incredible to spend an evening surrounded by so many wonderful people - my accomplishments and pursuits are all a reflection of the individuals who have been a presence in my life. The gathering was a perfect representation of the sincere friends, loyal family members, and young souls that make up the foundation of my world. I felt deeply honored and supported to be among such generous, lively, and loving company.

Christmas was a plethora of dinners with family and friends, time spent with loved ones, movie watching, gift giving, and good eating. In my family this is not a one-day-affair - we have Christmas for a solid week and surprisingly it doesn't get old. There is something wonderfully comforting about spending time with people who always have your best interests in mind and want nothing more than to remain connected on a meaningful level. But the party didn't stop there!!!

I raced back to Fort Collins after all the graduation, b-day, and Christmas celebrations came to an end and packed up all of my belongings. I was shocked to see how much stuff I had collected over the past four years and found myself absolutely overwhelmed by the prospect of getting it all organized and hauled back home. It took hours, lots of help, heaps of love, and many reminders to keep breathing to get it all done; now I'm back and forth between Fort Collins and Fort Lupton and I'm living out of a duffel bag . . . I guess the adventure begins long before my bags are packed and my plane takes off.

With the moving taken care of I was free to bring in the New Year with enthusiasm for my journey, appreciation for the blessings of the last twelve months, and wonder for what is to come. Cody's birthday was a light-hearted celebration of the fun-loving character he has become. It's easy to enjoy acknowledging someone so willing to engage in the fun life has to offer.

Now I'm spending my days tying up lose ends, saying goodbyes, and reading. I'm excited to pursue my dreams of being a Peace Corps Volunteer, to travel the world, to share the love that overwhelms my heart, and to contribute to the education of all children - and in the very same breath I am apprehensive about the future and heartbroken with each goodbye. I have three weeks and I fully intend to spend them in a continuation of the celebration I have been living in for the last month; the celebration of my life thus far, the accomplishments of those around me, and the relationships that have lead me to this moment and this absolutely thrilling decision.