Glass half full

Last year a storm hit Calgary and flooded many areas. This was tragic for many people, and there was a lot of discouragement. Calgary came together and showed support and love for those impacted. My friend Cealy and I went to help down in Bowness, and it felt great to help those around me. There were many discouraging posts on Facebook and Instagram showing pictures of the horrible flood. As Cealy and I saw this, we decided to try to add a post that was positive. There was a huge puddle outside of my house, and we decided to go puddle jumping. We got floaties, goggles, and beach balls to go and play in the water. It was absolutely freezing, but I could not stop laughing. My dad came out and took this photo, and it makes me smile just looking at it. In the middle of a hard time, we were able to find joy.

Christmas Moment

My sister is serving a mission for our church in Mississippi, and has been gone for 9 months. She only gets emailing time once a week, and my family and I have not been able to actually talk to her since she left. I have always admired my sister for being such an amazing person, and I have always looked up to her. No matter what I was going through, I knew that I could talk to her about it. Even though we fought growing up, she is my best friend and I miss her so much. Christmas was always a special time when there would be no fighting between us, and we would spend hours laughing.  My sister and I have many traditions together around Christmas time. For example, each Christmas Eve, we watch Miracle on 34th Street together. This was the first Christmas that she had been gone, and I knew that it would be difficult for me without her there. Luckily, each missionary gets to Skype with their family on Christmas for a couple of hours.  I was so excited to hear her voice and actually see her! As my my entire family gathered around the computer and talked to her, I felt such joy! I looked around the room and felt so close to my family. It seemed like we were trying to tell her everything exciting that had happened to us! My nieces and nephews were jumping up and down screaming because they were so excited to see her again. She told us about her life, and how much she loved being out there.  Laughs filled the room during those couple of hours. This was the one moment over Christmas holidays that I truly will never forget. Talking to my sister for the first time in 9 months was the best thing I could have ever received on Christmas Day.

Kids Excitement

Eugene Ionesco once stated,  "The end of childhood is when things cease to astonish us".  No one feels the wonder of the world the way that a child does.  As individuals grow older, they become so familiar with the world that they lose their appreciation for the little things.  I have personally seen this as I have spent time with my nieces and nephews.  One Friday evening, I was watching my sister's kids.  As I started cooking dinner for them, my little three year old niece came up and asked if she could help.  I pulled a chair up beside me, and put a pot of water on the stove.  I stood there, making sure she wouldn't get hurt. A few minutes past, and suddenly she gasped.  I quickly looked over at her, and saw her bright blue eyes filled with wonder and amazement.  I was confused; nothing had happened! She jumped off the chair and quickly ran to find her other siblings.  Screaming at the top of her lungs,  she called out, "Quick! Quick! Come see!".  As all of the children came running and pulled up chairs, she softly stated, "This is magic water. See all of the bubbles?".  The other children were astonished!  They got off their chairs and ran around the house.  All of them were so excited about the magic, bubbly water. Their excitment rubbed off on me.  I was soon laughing and getting excited as well!  These children had found something wonderful in something that I would usually have found ordinary.

Winter Adventures

It was one of the first snowfalls of the year. The sun was reflecting off the snow, making it irresistible. My older sister and I looked out the window, our hearts filled with excitement and enthusiasm. The season had arrived! I could not wait for hot chocolate, Christmas lights, joyful songs, and all of the winter time adventures. The only worry in our minds was what to do first! Many suggestions were made, but only one stood out as the best winter adventure for that day. We decided to go cross country skiing. The only problem was that there was no car at home, to drive somewhere to do it! This would not stop our plans though; our minds were made up! So we headed out our front door, and put on the cross country ski equipment. As we slide down the road covered with snow, we raced around our block. I was laughing so hard! We were cross country skiing on the road! Many people passed in cars with confused looks on their faces. My sister and I didn't have a care in the world! We were having the time of our life as we talked and laughed as we went along. It was one of the most enjoyable things I have ever done with my sister. We fell so many times, that when we got back to the house we were both soaking head to toe. As we dried off and had some hot chocolate, we both agreed that it was going to be a great winter holiday.

Delicious Food

 I sat there nervously as the waiter refilled my glass. I could not believe I was finally going to meet his parents! I looked around the room at the expensive decor. The china glasses sparkled when they met the sun coming through the window. The soft violin music and the dimmed lights made the room elegant and sophisticated. My thoughts were interrupted when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around to see my boyfriend of two years, and his parents standing there. I smiled as they sat down beside me. The beginning of dinner went well! His father and I had a lot in common. It seemed like everything was going great. Then it was time for dessert. As the waiter dropped off the cheesecake that we had ordered, I spotted the perfect piece. My mouth watered as I admired the delectable dessert. As I prepared to grab it, my boyfriend’s father took it! My heart sank, and I felt sick to my stomach. How could he! Why would he! I tried to stay relaxed, but I couldn't; the piece was perfect. It had the perfect amount of strawberries, the crust was baked to a soft golden shade, and I needed it. I felt my knuckles turning white as I clenched the table. I could not let him have the first bite! Without thinking, I grabbed the cheesecake off his plate with my hand, and stuffed in to my face. The taste was so extraordinary that I didn’t notice the reactions around me. It was the most wonderful sensation I had ever had. Even though my boyfriend never talked to me again, I will never regret my decision. It was the best cheesecake I had ever tasted.