Crash, Boom, Bang!

I have SO MUCH to be thankful for! I went on a spontaneous bike ride last night and crashed. Hard. I was going down a hill and slid out. I am really cut up and bruised, but I have all my teeth and my nose didn't break!!! Hooray! I have so many things to be thankful for this week. I am thankful to be alive. I am thankful this accident turned me more toward God. I am thankful I had someone with me to take me home. I am thankful for the crowd of people that came out to help me when I crashed. I am thankful my bike is still in working order. I am thankful I didn't have to work today. I am thankful so many people care about me! I am thankful that although my face is screwed up, I am still beautiful! I am thankful for the Divine construction of faces- so that my eyes have been protected and weren't gouged out. I am thankful for the excuse to wear comfy clothes! I am thankful we took pictures for the Ward Directory last week! I am thankful I didn't have to go to the hospital! I am thankful only one nail had the polish scraped off. I am thankful that I can pretend people are distracted by my beauty, not just the big red spots on my face. I am thankful for this experience that taught me so much!

I also lost my debit card the other day and a sweet stranger tracked me down and returned it. I mean seriously, WHO DOES THAT? He picked it up so no one else would get it and use it, and tried to track me down every way possible. Not only did he look for an owner, but made me describe the card to make sure I was the right owner. I now have it back, no harm done. 

The brakes went out in my car. I was able to go get them repaired -for a price- but they're fixed now! I don't have to ride my bike after that accident! I can drive! HOORAY! I am so thankful for that! 

I have such wonderful people in my life and such amazing opportunities to enjoy myself.

Gimme Shelter

Tonight I watched a wonderful movie called Gimme Shelter. It's a true story about a young girl, abused, hurt, thrown from foster home to foster home, homeless, pregnant, then finally in a shelter that changed her life. I really enjoyed it and even liked Vanessa Hudgens in it. Is she the best actress? No. Did her performance impress me? Definitely. There's my little plug for the movie.

The whole movie was a beautiful, uplifting story, but what affected me most was the love in the ending. I don't want to give too much away, but a few scenes really touched me. The main character, Apple, didn't have her dad in her life. After many trials, she gets to know and gain a relationship with him. He is there for the birth of her daughter and wants to give them the love they deserve. There are a few moments that, thanks to Brendan Fraser, really touched me. He is willing to give all of his love to his new daughter and granddaughter. Even though he is already raising a family and working full time, he makes time for those that need his love. The smallest gestures of a kiss on the head or wiping away tears reminded me of the men in my life that have been willing to give me everything.

I am so blessed to have male family and friends that are tender and loving. I need someone who can be gentle and soft with me and with our children. Until recently, I didn't realize how important that was to me. A very special person taught me what it is to love. I wasn't very good at it. He gave everything for me and was willing to get hurt if that meant I was happy. I feel that my selfishness often gets in the way of my love. Love is pure and should be given completely. Yes, I am still learning what love is, but I am thankful for the people in my life who take those steps with me and teach me how to be better.

I listened to this song tonight. 5 years time. Where will I be? Will I be with this tender man that I need? With a sweet little blessing in my arms? I sure hope so. I know I won't have mastered that love thing by then, but I'm excited to keep improving on it. To all of those that are blessing and teaching me, thank you. I love you. And to some of you- I miss you. I'm sorry I couldn't completely give the love you need and deserve. I'm working on it.