When I was listening to conference a few weeks ago during the Sunday afternoon session I was reflecting over my life and thought of a few moments that have helped shape me into who I am. I could have come up with many, many more, but these are the few I thought of without having to try hard. I’ve placed them in chronological order where possible.
1. When I first got my contacts (I got contacts before I got glasses) I remember looking out the window and looking at the mountains and thinking to myself how beautiful this world is that we live in.
2. Walking off the field at the last soccer game I played in High School and not having Dad there to greet me. This was the only game he missed because I told him not to come since it was so far away.
3. The kindness of friends who really want to hear the answer to the question “How are you?”
4. The phone call received at 6:00am one February morning.
5. Playing tennis with my brothers and brother-in-law.
6. Ryan and I played doubles in intramural tennis in Logan. There was one day when Ryan and I were walking to the courts and Ryan said, “Jules, it doesn’t matter whether we win or not, I’m just happy to be playing with you!”
7. The notes I received from Ryan as he stopped by the bookstore to say hi (that was the only place he knew he could find me!) I think I still have some of those notes.
8. Attending a retirement ceremony or a funeral where the flag is folded, saluted, and handed to the mother of the retiree or to the widow. The reverence and respect shown makes for a very powerful moment.
9. The night I received my endowment in the Salt Lake Temple. My entire family was there with me and I was so happy that Mom was my escort!
10. Being in the Nauvoo temple and feeling the incredible spirit there and having the knowledge that the Lord loves each of us! When I walked out of the temple it was a gorgeous sunset, my thoughts turned to my Dad and I knew he was close.
11. Walking into my bedroom to find Jared had built me a beautiful bookshelf.
12. The trust friends have in me as they tell me things in confidence.
13. A phone call from Jessica just to tell me that my nieces started crying when they learned that I would not be with them over Christmas to go sledding with them.
14. Sunday phone calls with Momasita!
15. The confidence others place in me as I am told of new leadership opportunities that are given to me: Youth City Council Mayor, PBL Executive Vice President, SABER Lead, Acting Team Lead, PWS Team Lead, etc, etc, etc.
16. Phrases people have said to me: (And yes, I still remember the specific people who said these!)
a. “You are like the sister I never had.”
b. "You are awful at dancing.”
c. “You were a great soccer player.”
d. “You are a peon who picks up my gravel.”
e. “Just be a sponge.”
f. “Your paper was wonderful from beginning to end. Why do you let others overshadow
you?”
g. “You must be important now, you have a blackberry!”
h. “You made her day.”
Some are seemingly small things, but typically it is the small things that impact me the most.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Moments That Have Shaped My Life
When I was listening to conference a few weeks ago during the Sunday afternoon session I was reflecting over my life and thought of a few moments that have helped shape me into who I am. I could have come up with many, many more, but these are the few I thought of without having to try hard. I’ve placed them in chronological order where possible.
1. When I first got my contacts (I got contacts before I got glasses) I remember looking out the window and looking at the mountains and thinking to myself how beautiful this world is that we live in.
2. Walking off the field at the last soccer game I played in High School and not having Dad there to greet me. This was the only game he missed because I told him not to come since it was so far away.
3. The kindness of friends who really want to hear the answer to the question “How are you?”
4. The phone call received at 6:00am one February morning.
5. Playing tennis with my brothers and brother-in-law.
6. Ryan and I played doubles in intramural tennis in Logan. There was one day when Ryan and I were walking to the courts and Ryan said, “Jules, it doesn’t matter whether we win or not, I’m just happy to be playing with you!”
7. The notes I received from Ryan as he stopped by the bookstore to say hi (that was the only place he knew he could find me!) I think I still have some of those notes.
8. Attending a retirement ceremony or a funeral where the flag is folded, saluted, and handed to the mother of the retiree or to the widow. The reverence and respect shown makes for a very powerful moment.
9. The night I received my endowment in the Salt Lake Temple. My entire family was there with me and I was so happy that Mom was my escort!
10. Being in the Nauvoo temple and feeling the incredible spirit there and having the knowledge that the Lord loves each of us! When I walked out of the temple it was a gorgeous sunset, my thoughts turned to my Dad and I knew he was close.
11. Walking into my bedroom to find Jared had built me a beautiful bookshelf.
12. The trust friends have in me as they tell me things in confidence.
13. A phone call from Jessica just to tell me that my nieces started crying when they learned that I would not be with them over Christmas to go sledding with them.
14. Sunday phone calls with Momasita!
15. The confidence others place in me as I am told of new leadership opportunities that are given to me: Youth City Council Mayor, PBL Executive Vice President, SABER Lead, Acting Team Lead, PWS Team Lead, etc, etc, etc.
16. Phrases people have said to me: (And yes, I still remember the specific people who said these!)
a. “You are like the sister I never had.”
b. "You are awful at dancing.”
c. “You were a great soccer player.”
d. “You are a peon who picks up my gravel.”
e. “Just be a sponge.”
f. “Your paper was wonderful from beginning to end. Why do you let others overshadow
you?”
g. “You must be important now, you have a blackberry!”
h. “You made her day.”
Some are seemingly small things, but typically it is the small things that impact me the most.
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6 comments:
That was a great post Julie! It is neat to look back at specific things that shape us and lead us in certain directions.
I am grateful to have you as a sister. I can't wait to hear about all the exciting adventures that await you in Kuwait.
Awesome Julie!
Love you!
Jules, I love you. Thanks for being my friend here--I'm really going to miss you!
Hey Julie. I am shocked that scrabble didn't make the life shaping list. Oh well - there really are more important things, I suppose. This world is lucky to have you in it. Hugs and love, Mom
Yeah baby I made the list, not once but twice!!! I'm so inspirational! I have many fond memories of Logan and college life and being there with Jules is a big part of many of those times. Love ya.
Julie that was a GREAT post...it accomplished a couple things...made us all ponder those important moments and people in our lives and it got Ryan to actually comment!!!
You go girl!!
We are all going to miss you while you are gone but we all look forward to hearing of your adventures.
Love ya
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