Is grateful.

I just want to say how grateful I am for the family I have. I love them a lot and I am so glad I have gotten to come home to South Carolina this weekend and I am glad there is still so much time left. If you have not met my mom or dad, you should. They are the most loving and caring people out there and sometimes I forget that. I get so caught up in myself and my life and busyness that I don't think about it. I often communicate with them in a lot of angst, worry or urgency and never really relax. I feel bad they don't really ever get to see some of the most loving sides of me. And here I am reading a book about someone that wants to be re-united with his family but will never see them again. I am so happy I have a mom and dad to myself, even better, that love me so much that they will help me out and come to Chicago to see me.

I am also grateful for the rest of my family I get to see even if it is not that often. I really enjoyed seeing them tonight for dinner. My aunt and uncle went out of their way to prepare a wonderful meal for me and I truly appreciate that.

Also, I am so happy for my friend Jonathan and his family. He and his mom are always so wonderful every single time I come home. Jonathan and I always have the opportunity to banter and be young again just as we had never left middle or high school. I enjoy the time I can just take all walls down and be who I really am on the inside. I really wish he could come to Illinois, but I know he has grad school.

I am so thankful for my friend Camille for hanging in there with me even though I don't get to see her often. She has been such a wonderful friend. I am also thankful for my friend Sarah and her husband Dylan. She has kept in such close touch with me since college even after a rocky time we had. They have been such wonderful supporters of me in all life endeavors.

Britney Marroni still keeps me laughing no matter what. I only wish I could see her more often. Melissa, my lovely Barnes and Noble kids lead in the South...amazing. A person to inspire reading in anyone.

I really miss my friends from college. I miss my professors and I miss everything about Lander.

I also am so grateful for my friends Stephanie and Carolyn. I am always laughing every time I am around them. They are the funniest people in the world. I really hope one day they will find themselves in Chicago longer than a week. It would be something phenomenal.

Tomorrow, I get to spend the day in Greenwood and see the people that kept life entertaining in college. Joyce, her family (her kids who I have watched grow for the past 8 years), Doc (my biggest inspiration at Lander), and other Lander music folk.

I just want to let everyone know that if you have been in my life, you have inspired me. This top portion of the blog is dedicated to everyone from the South that has shaped who I am. I have forgotten no one, even if your name is not in here...there is simply not enough time before my eyes shut and I fall asleep before I can name them.

To all of you Chicago folk: I love you, too and I am so happy you are there. I am happy such wonderful people, co-workers, friends, roommate and acquaintances have been there to acclimate me to such a beautiful city even through my most trying times up there. Wow. It is amazing to have such a wonderful Southern heart and a strong Midwestern backbone to guide me through life.

I love you all.