The past few weeks all feel like a blur. Somehow, I made it through my fifteen week internship. I made it through all of the negativity and walked out of the hospital feeling free. Totally and completely free. Like when you don't wear a bra or like a bird soaring in the wind or like a used and abused child life intern that has completed her internship and feels accomplished even with all of the struggles she had been through. Oh wait. It was definitely that last one.
It was even better that I was able to go home and see my mom and dad that very night. That is when the fun began. I was able to go shopping, take my mom tubing for her first time, take both parents to see the lights on Temple Square, and explore the new light show at Thanksgiving Point. And, the best part of it all was that I was still counting down the days until graduation, going home, and Christmas where I will be able to Skype my little missionary brother.
Tubing is always an adventure, and mom was willing to take this one on and go head first. We laughed as we played in the snow and as it flurried around us as we flew down the hills on our tubes. So cold. So fun. Another night we went to see the lights at Thanksgiving Point. They were amazing. They had different themes in different areas, and in some there were even smells to go along with the themes. And, I loved that in the center there was a nativity scene and my favorite sculptures of Christ surrounded by lanterns. It truly reminds you why we celebrate Christmas and brings you back to what really matters. I also got to take my parents to see Temple Square. They have seen it numerous times before but never when the Christmas lights were up. And oh how we love Christmas lights! I loved watching them as the lights reflected in their wide eyes as they tried to take it all in. Once again, it reminded me the true meaning of the season.
At the end of the week we headed to Arizona where I was able to see the first family of kids I ever babysat. All of them are all so grown up!! It is amazing. The youngest, whose first words were Spongebob and Megan, who was still so tiny when we moved is all grown up now. Also, he is so funny! I loved getting to see all of them and how much they have grown and changed and who they are becoming. We also got to see my cousin Ami and her cute family. I love getting to see friends and family that we do not get to very often. It makes trips more fun and worth it. We even got to see the Mesa Temple lights on our trip. Two sets of temple lights, each very different, and each being beautiful in their own way.
Suddenly, it was graduation day. The actual ceremonies were so fast. It was such a whirlwind I don't even remember them all that well. I do remember walking out of the second day's ceremony to be silly stringed by my ever so loving parents though... I finished my internship, and I am all graduated and stuff. Does it feel real? Not at all. I know it will hit me at some point though!
We made the trip from Arizona all in one day. When I woke up the next morning I had the worst sinus infection I've ever had. I think I had been fighting it for a couple weeks, but after that tedious drive my body couldn't handle it anymore. I'm still recovering but feel much better than before. I was even able to decorate our house so it feels a little more like Christmas now!
I hope everyone has a merry Christmas. Fill your time with those you love. Remember why we celebrate Christmas and try to keep the true meaning in your hearts even with all of the commotion of shopping, wrapping, decorating, baking, and everything else that keeps you busy. :)
