Two Weeks Notice

On December 2 of this year, my older sister Kari, the straight-up gem in this photo above, will be returning from Rwanda for the first time since September 12, 2011. Let's put that into perspective here. When she left, I had just begun my junior year of high school, and now I am halfway through my freshman year of college, and wow, that's just so strange for me to contemplate. You see, she became a member of the Peace Corps in the fall following her graduation from college and has been teaching at an all-girls Catholic boarding school in the small African country of Rwanda for the past two years. Her time there has most assuredly been far from easy or comfortable, and she has been exposed to countless crazy and eye-opening cultural experiences. Yet, through it all, she has developed a myriad of relationships and connections, some of which will certainly be lifelong. That's the thing about my sister: she can be thrown into almost any situation - in almost any place on this vast earth - and she learns how to thrive. She just goes with it. It's an undeniably difficult feat, but time and time again, Kari manages to bring life to places which very few would even venture to in the first place.

And just two short weeks from today, for the first time in twenty-seven months, I will be able to see my sister face to face. And to say I am stoked beyond belief would be the understatement of the century. I mean, it's such an inconceivable thing to me, so much so that I almost cannot bear to stop talking about it. So, my apologies to the cashier at the store who heard a brief synopsis of Kari's Rwandan life as I was checking out my groceries and to Rosemary the lunch lady for holding up the line while I was rambling on about my excitement and to the kid at the gym this morning who was probably trying to concentrate on his workout. But wait, I'm not actually sorry. For in just fourteen days, one of my best friends and one of my most faithful and constant life examples will be home. Gosh, is God ever good or is God ever good? 

But all of this got me thinking. What an absolute treasure loved ones are! They're seriously so great. But how often do we treat them in the exact opposite manner, as though they're a fact of life and nothing more, as though they're not worth the added effort because they'll just always be around? Come on, we all do it. But as of late, this mentality has become so utterly gross to me. Because it doesn't have to be this way and shouldn't be this way. We should be so lost in gratitude and compassion for our loved ones - and human beings in general - that it becomes second nature to cherish and savor every glorious moment that we have with them. And what better time to instill this habit than around Thanksgiving?

Yes indeed. Be thankful. Be thankful for family. Be thankful for friends. Be thankful for each and every beautiful person who touches your life. And quit being bored and expectant. Every encounter with those you love should be a precious gift, whether you've been apart for two hours or two years. Be forever eager to love on these people. Love them with all of your might.

P.S. Shout out to my sister Kari. It's the first time in my life that my countdown to Christmas has been my second most important countdown. Can't wait to embrace you and your radiant soul soon.