Distance makes the heart grow fonder

     It's Thanksgiving Season....for America at least. But since i've come down yonder for my education, I guess I can celebrate it too. :)

     Thanksgiving is a time and season that allows me to think on what I am grateful for. And not only that, but to think of all I have that I usually take for granted.

      For example, take this weekend. My parents and little brother (Nathan) came down from Canada to visit me and my sister! (And...most importantly...to watch BYU sports (the boys) and shop (my mom.))
      I'm not homesick. I haven't even felt the urge to visit Canada yet. But, the opportunity to spend this time with my family turned out to be a time when I could really appreciate and be thankful for Family and for all they do for me.

     It was really great to spend time with them, to hear their voices, to make my mom laugh, and just overall reminisce of all the good times we've had together.The experience made me think of the rest of my family, and how much I miss them. (ESPECIALLY my nieces and nephews!)
      It made me really appreciate all my parents have done for me. I forgot what it was like for my parents to buy me food, or take me shopping. I enjoy and am used to the independence, but it made me really thankful when they were willing to do such things. (Spend money on me? Say what?)

     One thing I am specially grateful for is that my parents taught me the importance of hard work. I grew up on a small farm, and that being said I had to often help out with the farm work growing up.
      My siblings and I knew what it was like to sacrifice things i.e. hanging out with friends - to help out on the family farm. I will never regret the experiences I had gathering chicken eggs, chasing cows, lifting hay bails, moving pipes, hoeing beets, planting gardens and so forth. It wasn't easy, but looking back I am grateful for all the things these experiences have done for me. They helped me develop close relationships with my siblings. They have helped me adjust to the work load and diligence that university requires. They helped me to become who I am today.

I'm glad I had the chance to spend time with family and ponder all these things at the beginning of this short, glad, thanking-filled holiday.

Because, like it's said, distance does make the heart grow fonder.