Lucky Girl

I've known for a while that I am a pretty lucky person. I am lucky to have grown up where I did, to know the people I do, to have the friends that I have, and to just live the life that I live. But sometimes, things happen that really put that into perspective.

You know when you have those days that resort you to your 4 year old self and you just want to lay down on the floor and sob? I had one of those last week. Nothing life-changing happened to provoke that in me, it was just the culmination of a long week and little things that added up to seem like a big deal. After practice, I called my mom just to get some comfort, but she didn't answer. I figured she was with a client or on call so I called my dad. He cheerfully answered and I burst into tears. I remember telling him in between sobs all of the things that were bothering me, then backtracking as I decided that none of this stuff was even worth crying about!


My dad listened patiently to everything, told me he loved me, and gave me some simple advice. "I understand how all of that could make you feel overwhelmed and frustrated", he said,"but stop dwelling on it. From right now, I want you to identify every single thing that was good that happened to you today". I agreed I would try. After dinner, i set to making a mental list of all that was good about that day, about my life in general. It worked! I felt so much better afterward.

Yesterday, when I talked to him again, I told him how much better that made me feel! I was still worrying about study abroad options, and possibly missing Christmas with the family. He told me that whatever program I want to do the most, is the one I should do, regardless of whether it's over Christmas. "We won't have Christmas without you!" he told me," And if it isn't until April that you get home, well, I'll climb up on the roof and hang up the lights. I'll turn them on too! I'll put up the tree just so you can have Christmas when you're here. I'd be more than happy to do all of that for you".



I seriously almost cried talking to him that time. Not like the last time, where the tears were my worries and exhaustion and fear coming out. This time, I felt so much love for him and for my family, and so much love from him and my family.

I can't believe that I am such a lucky girl! I feel so incredibly blessed to have the dad that I do. In fact, I can't believe my luck that I have the family that I do. I know that they are always there for me, and I love them with all of my heart!