I'm sitting on my bedroom floor with tears in my eyes. They're mostly happy tears. And just a little sad. I've been shown a little glimpse of what life would be like without the family and friends that I have. The combination of waking up in an empty apartment without my family on Thanksgiving day and spending time with some friends from work who are having a hard time and don't have any close family nearby have made me realize how lucky I am.

I can not tell you how lonely it must be to be alone. I went to a different ward today with a friend because I found one that meets after I get off work on Sunday. There seemed to be a lot of lonely people in that ward and although the church is the perfect place to gain a family, what about the people who don't feel like they fit in? What about the people who don't feel comfortable making new friends? What about people who, like my friend who is deaf, have a hard time understanding others? What about the people who aren't members of the church? Or aren't active? Where is their family? Where are their friends?

I don't know what the solution is other than always always always look out for those who need a good friend.

A few people at work asked me where I would spend my Thanksgiving. I told them that I was able to go home to California and have Thanksgiving early with my family there and then spend the actual Thanksgiving day with some of my awesome and hilarious family here in Utah. How lucky am I?? I got to have two Thanksgiving dinners with two different groups of my family that I love! I didn't have to miss my Dad's out-of-this-world stuffing and gravy, or my Mom's awesome turkey and homemade cranberry sauce (ha ha, jk mom...I love the canned stuff) Rolls, she makes amazing rolls. And sweet potatoes. And fruit salad.

So instead of being lonely in a new ward, or lonely on Thanksgiving or anytime, I have family. And that is what I am most grateful for.

And this video is why I have tears in my eyes.
http://sarferjoy.blogspot.com/2008/12/merry-christmas-mom.html

Happy November.