But I'm ready now. :)
So this past week while working for my dad, I had some issues with an overbearing sun and a lack of water. My dad is a beekeeper and it's the time of year that we have to get the honey out of the hives. So we were out working all day in 80 degree weather in full bee suits to keep us from getting stung.
So the story gets interesting right after we got done with our last yard. I hopped into the semi and took my gloves off and immediately got stung. It hurt but it's kind of something that comes with beekeeping so no big deal. But as we were pulling out of the yard I started feeling dizzy and had trouble breathing. Then my vision got super narrow. I said to my dad and the other guy in the truck, "I feel like I'm going to pass out." That's the last thing I remember until I woke up on the floor of the truck with the sound of my dad's voice on the phone with 911. I knelt on the floor for a while and then got the strength to get in the back on the bed with the help of the other worker. My dad then drove his semi like a maniac to the emergency room where the nurses and doctors wheeled me into a room and started an IV to get fluids into my system. I was there for a few hours.
I know it doesn't sound like that big of a deal to some of you, but to me it was one of the scariest moments in my life. I literally thought I was going to die.
And it got me thinking. What if I had died? What if I passed out and never woke back up? There is a lot in my life I haven't accomplished yet. But that's not a HUGE deal to me. The biggest thing is that there are a lot of people in my life who may not know exactly how I feel about them and how much I appreciate them. So this blog post is to all of you who have had a major impact in my life.
So... to:
- My dad- even though we butt heads a lot and I feel like I've failed you often, I know that you are still proud of me and what I've accomplished and that means the world to me. (also thanks for driving your semi as fast as you did haha!!)
- My mom- you are the sweetest, most beautiful woman in the world and I couldn't ask for a better mom. No one on earth truly knows what it's like to have the best mom ever except for Luke and I. Thank you for always being there for me even though I've made you cry all night before.
- Luke- we definitely don't always get along, but I couldn't ask for a better brother. You mean the world to me and I will always be here for you.
- Jake- you are my oldest and dearest friend. Even though you are now married, I know that there is not a whole lot you wouldn't do for me. I thank you so much for that. Horse butts forever!!! LOL!!!
- Dave- we have had our ups and downs but you will always be my best friend!! Even though you are thousands of miles away, you are always on my mind and in my prayers.
- Hannah- I love you cuz!! You are an incredible person!! I miss you so much!! I care about you deeply!!! :)
- Brad- you are the best roommate I could ask for. You can make me laugh when I need it, but you can also sympathize with me when I need it. I'm sad that we can only be roommates for a year. It's not enough time to have all the fun we want to!!
- Leslie- you are an incredible friend. You are always willing and ready to help with anything. We haven't always gotten along but you've been bigger than our arguments and nasty feelings. Thanks for everything. I can't wait till I can see you again.
- Laura- we haven't talked in forever!!! But you are probably the person that has led me closer to God than anyone else. I know that my surprise you... but it's true!! I've seen more forgiveness in you than I thought possible for anyone. And I know it's because you have God in your heart. You are probably my second favorite mom right after my own.
- Jessie- This has been one of the hardest journeys of my life, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. You have shown me what a true friend is. I know I've said probably the worst possible things I could ever say to someone. But you still love like Jesus loves. And I don't understand it, but I'm so thankful for it.
- Jody- how are you so amazing??? I know I've bugged you and probably gotten on your every nerve. But you still have this amazing way to encourage me in everything I do. There has never been anyone that I've looked forward to talking to like I look forward to talking to you. You are truly a woman of God. There is nothing I wouldn't do for you. I can't say that to everyone, but that's how much I care about you. You are going to be the best nurse this world has ever seen!!! I love you!!
To anyone else: just because you are not on this short list does not mean you do not mean the world to me. I love you all so much. Thank you so much for the opportunity to let me into your lives. I hope that we are all friends for the rest of our lives!!!
Dear God, thank you so much for putting these people in my life. I don't deserve love from any of them but they give it anyway. And thank you so much for being the BEST FRIEND to all of us. We deserve death but you love us enough to give us the chance to have life... eternal life!! May we all experience you in a tangible, mind-blowing way!! I love you and want to see you soon!!! I can't wait to go home with you!! Amen!!
