"There and Back Again... A Hobbit's Tale"
I'm 25 today. A quarter of a century. Halfway through my twenties. A full functioning adult in society. My brain has finally fully formed. I am finally old enough to not be looked at as a baby anymore. Take your pick. I'm ecstatic! I have been looking forward to 25 for forever now! 24 was the best year of my life so far. I know, it was probably one of the hardest, in terms of trials, but it was the best in terms of spiritual growth, which made the hard times bearable.
It has been the most beautiful day. The weather has been dark and cold and wintery... and has brought change! I love change! I love the hope that comes with change. Life does not always have to be bleak and awful. It can change and be beautiful and wonderful. It has been the most wonderful fall. The leaves have taken time to change and fall to the ground, and the sound they make when they crunch under my feet.... heaven, I tell you. I have loved this fall. It is probably one of my favorites, weather wise. This morning I woke up to a sprinkling of snow on the ground. It was a change. It seemed symbolic. It seemed to be saying, yes, Cassandra, this last year happened. Your dad lost use of his leg, and is using a wheelchair to get around. Your youngest brother had some health scares. School has been a struggle for many of your siblings. Lydia had to deliver Calvin by C-section, and had a hard recovery. Your parents have been struggling with your dads illness, and work. You were miserable in your job the first half of the year. One of your best friends walked out on you. Your roommate moved out. It was a crazy year. It was a hard year. It was a struggle to breath sometimes. It was hard not to cry to the Lord and say "why me?" There were times when past Cassandra would come out and wanted to curl up in a ball on her bed and cry. She used to do that. She lived for her feelings, and if they were bad, you can bet she was blasting Linkin Park in her bedroom while crying to her journal about the mess that her life was. It all was so dramatic. But, remember, I was young back then. I think I was supposed to be dramatic.
Instead of getting caught up in the craziness of life, I focused on the good this past year, and what a difference it made! So much good happened this past year! One of my best friends got married! Jess, I'm forever grateful for your friendship! You have been there for me through the good and bad; through the fun and challenging; through my craziness and my saneness- you have been a rock, and I am so glad you found someone amazing to complement your awesomeness. My youngest sister graduated from high school, and I now have four siblings in college! I'm so grateful my parents instilled a love of learning in us from a young age. It's been so great getting to see my siblings go through many of the struggles of college life that I went through, knowing they will come out learning life lessons. My nephew Calvin was born in May. I now have three perfect nephews who I adore more than I ever thought possible. I got promoted at work into an amazing position in July, and it has been the best experience. I have learned so much about myself because of this position, and it has been so fun to take on this new role. So many of my good friends had babies or announced they are having babies this past year. I have loved getting to see their families grow! It has been the coolest experience! I went through the temple in May. Best. Decision. Of. My. Life. I cannot put into words how much I love the temple. I never want that love to leave me. I have grown so much because of the blessings that the temple has brought into my life, and it has only been 5 and a half months. One of my best guy friends got engaged last weekend. It's guys like him that remind me that good guys do exist in the world. He has always been a great example to me, and I wish I could be at his wedding, but, alas, I have a work conference that weekend in Nashville. Did you like my use of "alas," Phil?
See? This last year was amazing! I really am so excited to see where my life takes me this coming year! I cannot believe all the change that has occurred, and I am so grateful for it! I have loved it! I have struggled with a lot of it, but the end result has made me realize I would not change any of those struggles for the world. I am so grateful for all the people who have helped make me who I am today. I cannot express enough love and gratitude to all of you who have shaped my life. From my young women leaders, to my college professors, to my friends, roommates, and my dear wonderful family. Thank you for the best 25 years a girl could ask for. You have all been amazing. You have all taught me wonderful lessons, whether of heartbreak or compassion, they were taught, and I have loved growing because of them. Here's to the next year. 25? Bring it on!
It has been the most beautiful day. The weather has been dark and cold and wintery... and has brought change! I love change! I love the hope that comes with change. Life does not always have to be bleak and awful. It can change and be beautiful and wonderful. It has been the most wonderful fall. The leaves have taken time to change and fall to the ground, and the sound they make when they crunch under my feet.... heaven, I tell you. I have loved this fall. It is probably one of my favorites, weather wise. This morning I woke up to a sprinkling of snow on the ground. It was a change. It seemed symbolic. It seemed to be saying, yes, Cassandra, this last year happened. Your dad lost use of his leg, and is using a wheelchair to get around. Your youngest brother had some health scares. School has been a struggle for many of your siblings. Lydia had to deliver Calvin by C-section, and had a hard recovery. Your parents have been struggling with your dads illness, and work. You were miserable in your job the first half of the year. One of your best friends walked out on you. Your roommate moved out. It was a crazy year. It was a hard year. It was a struggle to breath sometimes. It was hard not to cry to the Lord and say "why me?" There were times when past Cassandra would come out and wanted to curl up in a ball on her bed and cry. She used to do that. She lived for her feelings, and if they were bad, you can bet she was blasting Linkin Park in her bedroom while crying to her journal about the mess that her life was. It all was so dramatic. But, remember, I was young back then. I think I was supposed to be dramatic.
Instead of getting caught up in the craziness of life, I focused on the good this past year, and what a difference it made! So much good happened this past year! One of my best friends got married! Jess, I'm forever grateful for your friendship! You have been there for me through the good and bad; through the fun and challenging; through my craziness and my saneness- you have been a rock, and I am so glad you found someone amazing to complement your awesomeness. My youngest sister graduated from high school, and I now have four siblings in college! I'm so grateful my parents instilled a love of learning in us from a young age. It's been so great getting to see my siblings go through many of the struggles of college life that I went through, knowing they will come out learning life lessons. My nephew Calvin was born in May. I now have three perfect nephews who I adore more than I ever thought possible. I got promoted at work into an amazing position in July, and it has been the best experience. I have learned so much about myself because of this position, and it has been so fun to take on this new role. So many of my good friends had babies or announced they are having babies this past year. I have loved getting to see their families grow! It has been the coolest experience! I went through the temple in May. Best. Decision. Of. My. Life. I cannot put into words how much I love the temple. I never want that love to leave me. I have grown so much because of the blessings that the temple has brought into my life, and it has only been 5 and a half months. One of my best guy friends got engaged last weekend. It's guys like him that remind me that good guys do exist in the world. He has always been a great example to me, and I wish I could be at his wedding, but, alas, I have a work conference that weekend in Nashville. Did you like my use of "alas," Phil?
See? This last year was amazing! I really am so excited to see where my life takes me this coming year! I cannot believe all the change that has occurred, and I am so grateful for it! I have loved it! I have struggled with a lot of it, but the end result has made me realize I would not change any of those struggles for the world. I am so grateful for all the people who have helped make me who I am today. I cannot express enough love and gratitude to all of you who have shaped my life. From my young women leaders, to my college professors, to my friends, roommates, and my dear wonderful family. Thank you for the best 25 years a girl could ask for. You have all been amazing. You have all taught me wonderful lessons, whether of heartbreak or compassion, they were taught, and I have loved growing because of them. Here's to the next year. 25? Bring it on!
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