Sweet Home...Chicago

the FAMILY (pictures are of Arizona and Chicago Cousins)
I haven't gotten to see my family in Illinois yet this summer and I am starting to feel a little bit bummed about that.

Ever since I was a little girl my family has always been my most prized possession and the most important thing in my life. I was always the girl who was homesick at a slumber party, cried for my parents at a week long camp, and just never wanted to be away from my family. The same is true with all my grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins. It's not that I have outstanding or super close relationships with anyone, it's just the comfort of family and the memories that come from our time together.

My dad's siblings live in Arizona and Seattle and my mom's entire side of the family is from the northwest suburbs of Chicago. Up until the end of high school, we would always go into Illinois in the summer and spend a week hanging out with my cousins and chatting with my grandparents (Nonni and Nonno). Before I knew it, we were all heading off to college, getting demanding summer jobs, and going in became more and more difficult. Even now it's hard to sacrifice a few days of pay to go in and see the people I love most.

This little reflection in my life has lead me to determine that I don't think I could ever be far from my family, I wouldn't want to. But the hard realization is that we are already starting to spread out...My Dad is always telling us that "You need to go where you can find a job" and I know its true, but it makes me tear up a little bit! In fact, I might just have to spray my teddy bear with my mom's perfume like I did when I was 6 :]

My sister has done amazing for herself in Arizona, my brother is looking at Grad Schools around the nation, my parents want to retire out west, and my cousins are all starting their BIG high school and college adventures or are already in Texas and Washington... I'm starting to think about life after college and where my path is going to lead. Maybe I'll have to take a leap of faith and teach PE classes in Zimbabwe? Who knows.

My family always reminds me what my favorite part about my relationship with Christ is. No matter where I am, Christ will be there too. I can always find a community of other believers who I can love just like I love my family. Thank you God, for the people and the relationships you have blessed in my life.