MY ROPE

So yes, it's been a very long time since I've posted.

Excuse - things have been busy, this and that has happened, blah blah blah. You wouldn't buy it anyway, so I'll just go on with my ramblings now.

It's been a very interesting few weeks. It's been a strict dichotomy, too, because my life has been filled with fabulous and happy moments and really hard ones as well. What I've realized, though, is that the one thing that's been constant through it all is love.

Does that sound cheesy? It kind of is, I suppose. But it's true, and it's what the rest of my post is about. So if you don't like it, turn back now.

Yes, love. And I don't mean that sappy, chick-flicky kind. Don't get me wrong, that's fabulous too. But over the last couple of weeks I've been recognizing all the different kinds of love that have been helping me through everything.

There is, of course, the love of my husband, who loves me as his wife and his friend. We have romance and we have fun. He makes me smile and makes me feel better no matter what. When I'm sad, he holds me, and when I'm happy, he celebrates with me. I don't know what I would ever do without him, and I'm grateful I have such a wonderful man.

There is the love of my friends, both in Iowa and Utah, that I still get to talk to pretty regularly. Especially at a time where I'm feeling awfully lonely, it makes me happy to know that they care. And that even though their lives are continuing on without me around, there are things that happen throughout the day that make them think of me and that they want to talk to me about. I really love still having that connection.

There's the love of my puppy, who's always around to keep me company. Now some of you may laugh at this, but those who have had good dogs will understand. I'm at home in the apartment most of the day, every day, and she's there with me. She'll follow me from room to room because she wants to be with me, and she'll cuddle up in my lap and give me a hug when I need one. Seriously. And when I do leave, she's always sooo excited to see me when I come back, and that always puts a smile on my face too. She's my baby.

There's also the love of my parents, who check in on me regularly to make sure I'm ok and just to chat. They're my friends as much as they're my parents, and I know how much they love me. I also know it's really hard on them for me to be so far away, so their support means the world to me.

And finally, of course, there's the love of my Heavenly Father and my Savior. I feel like I'm saying a lot of prayers for strength lately, and for patience. And even though I never get the answers I really want (like, say, this will be over soon, or it's going to get better), I always feel comforted and like I'm not alone. And that's exactly what I need right now.