wonderful realizations

my sister is getting married in may of this coming year, and i am to be her maid of honor.  i'm terribly excited, yet terribly frightened!  it seems as if there's so much to do and, of course, no time in which to do it...yet life goes on.  my first realization that this is actually happening is the bridal shower i'm throwing her this sunday.  it seems like that's all i've thought about the past two or three weeks, making sure every detail is planned out and covered.  planning the menu, the decorations, where to have it, getting invitations sent out and begging for r.s.v.p.s...grocery shopping lists, cleaning lists...it's never ending!

but then i think...i stop and think...

i realize that i have been so blessed to be able to plan my sister's bridal shower, her very first bridal shower!  what an honor this is, to be the first, to break the ice!  she will always remember this as her first bridal shower, the one i gave her!

i see my family, again.  and not just see them, but i see them.  i see who they are, i see how they love.  time and time again, i am reminded how very blessed i am to have the mom and dad that i do.  how very lucky, it seems, that i was to grow up a cross girl!  i have a mother who will drive five hours for a two hour shower!  i have a father who calls me every day asking if i need anything!

only through them do i stay grounded.  in my family, i find unending support, unlimited love, unbridled faith in me.

when i came to college five years ago, i saw that i am one of the few.  i am one of the few who's parents are still married (this december will be 28 years!).  i am one of the few who grew up with a solid christian background.  i am one of the few who has a solid support system throughout my entire family.  and the list could go on.  and it seems that each year that i'm on my own, i see that wonderful realization growing exponentially!  not everyone is as blessed as i am, however deserving or undeserving.  how my heart aches and longs for those who haven't experience the joys of family the way i have.  how i so wish that one day they can have family like i have.

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!   -1 John 3:1a