See ya later...not goodbye

As I have been trying to grasp reality these past two days, I have read over many thoughts of family members and friends. They all have written such beautiful tributes to my Grandpa Fisher. It was like they were taking the words right out of my mouth when they wrote them. So as I sat down to write my own tribute I doubt my writing abilities. I have never been quite the eloquent writer like my sisters, cousins, aunts, etc, so bear with me if you continue to read my tribute to Ira Mitchell Fisher.

Grandpa, thank you for making me into the person I am today. Without your many stories, voices included, poached eggs, ice cream, licorice, pink and white mints, (but mostly the pink ones) birthday cards, Priesthood blessings, hugs, pictures, rides, counsel, and your unconditional love, I would not be here in the ELC writing this tribute to you. I am so grateful I had the opportunity to live right next door to you. I always knew that you would be a few short steps away, at any hour of the day or night. Your house and presence was a safe haven for so many and I am grateful for the wonderful peace I feel when I think of you being reunited with your lovely wife. But I will miss you.

I will miss how your face lights up when I would walk through your front door or into your bedroom. I will miss your 20 questions of what I have been up to, where I have traveled, and where my next plans will take me. I will miss coming to you when I am broken in need of a blessing. I will miss going into your office, sitting on your chair, letting you back up and support yourself against your desk, and then laying your hands upon my bowed head. I will miss saying Amen and instantly turning around embracing you with tears falling freely. I will miss coming to sing to you every Sunday after church.

But because of you I will never settle for less than my best. I will someday graduate with my bachelors degree in education, because I hope to be at least half of the teacher you are. Because of you I have a firm testimony of the gospel. I will strive to live my life to find a companion who will honor his Priesthood and take me to the temple to be sealed for time and all eternity. I will strive to be patient, loving, giving....the list goes on and on. Because of you I will do everything I can to be with you forever.

So I, along with the rest of your posterity, want to say thank you for being you. Thank you for your love and example. See ya later.....

ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE

Today I would like to list things I am grateful for. As I sat listening to conference I was overwhelmed with so many feelings of gratitude. I know just posting this saying "thank you" to all of you who make my life wonderful will not be suffice, but it is a start. So here it goes...

First, I am so very grateful for my family. They are what keeps me going in this crazy life of mine. I know they will always be there for me, ALL WAYS! I am so grateful for the relationships I have with my parents and siblings. I look at families who aren't very close, and it makes me so much more grateful for my tight knit relationships I have with my family. I love them all so much! I also am grateful for the many examples and friends I have in my extended family. I love to get caught up with them each time we visit.

I am so grateful for my family in good ole Wayne County. There are too many to count, that have extended their loving arms to me and have accepted me for who I am. I am so grateful when I get the chance to have a get away weekend to my second home. It is the greatest!

I am so grateful for this gospel and for conference! I sat in awe as I listened to the many wonderful speakers who are instruments in our Father in Heaven's hands. I am so grateful for the beautiful hymns that were sung. These profound songs have brought so much peace and comfort into my crazy life.I am so grateful for this beautiful Earth that we are able to live on. I am so grateful for rain storms, sunshine, and everything in between!! I am so grateful for the mountains! Whenever I am having a hard time, I load up in my car and go for a drive up the canyon...what a great tender mercy that is!

I am so grateful for my brother and Savior Jesus Christ. I am grateful for his sacrifice. I am grateful that he chose to pay for my sins, sorrows, and pains. The Atonement is real, and I know that if I take that step of faith to use it, I can be clean again. I am so grateful for this knowledge! I know that I am far from perfect, but a quote that I really like states, "Being perfect doesn't mean doing everything right. Being perfect means to constantly strive to be perfect." So that is what I am going to do. Strive constantly to be that much better.

If you are reading this, thank you! Thank you for taking the time to catch up on what I've been doing in my busy life. Believe it or not, but at one time or another, you have influenced my life. Thank you for helping me become who I am today. Thank you for being my friend, sister, family, or acquaintance. :) You're the best!!