Today is my last day (for awhile at least) in the area where I was born and raised, upstate NY. I attended my 50th high school reunion, one of only a couple of reunions I have ever attended. It wasn't that I was avoiding my high school reunions. I simply had too much going on in my life to have the trip here as a priority. The last time I saw these people I looked somewhat like this:
It's an old picture, of my 16th birthday party to be exact. I was a fairly normal teenager with mood swings from ecstatic to deeply depressed. I attempted suicide several times, never successfully, obviously. I was incredibly confused as to who I was, who I wanted to become, and who I could totally trust to listen to. Now I look like this:
Definitely older and, I hope, wiser. I no longer wonder who I am. I am a daughter of God and of infinite worth even when I make mistakes (daily). I no longer wonder who I want to become. I want to be like Jesus. I want to be the kind of person who makes others comfortable enough to enjoy my company but motivated enough to want to improve themselves and reach for the ideal. I no longer wonder who to totally trust- except maybe when it comes to the media and world in general. I trust the scriptures, prophets living and dead, and the Holy Ghost as I receive guidance through personal revelation. To some people, I suppose that may sound overly-religious or pious. In all humility, I maintain that every single one of God's children (which is every single human being whether they acknowledge Him or not) has that same option. He doesn't expect us to be perfect right away. We have eternity for that. But He does hope we will make the choice to begin on that path, now.
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