blessings.

Those people out there that know me well enough will know that I haven't exactly had a great week. I've had my downs and all, experiences that under no circumstances can be described as "pleasant", and news that I didn't want to hear. But even in all this, I've had my little blessings, and I'm really thankful for all these signals that God's given, each gesture saying "I haven't forgotten you, even if you've forgotten me".

I guess first things are that I'm eighteen, along with my bestest buddy in the world, in the space of 10 days of each other. We've grown so much, both together and apart; you've had a large role in molding me into what I am today. You're my kindred soul, what can I say? *smiles* As I flip through your version of our "little black book" and trace with my finger all the years we spent laughing and escaping, and even more recently the time in both our separate worlds ... who knows where time will take us? Somewhere together, I reckon.

Daddy also turned 51! My beloved father, who's selflessly sacrificed so much for me, and who I've come to understand in the last year as I've never before ...

Met Sven at uni today, the darling man drove all the way there from wherever he was to hand me something unexpected and very much appreciated. I've received an anonymous donation from a friend from church that somehow heard that I was in some financial difficulty - it's such a significant gesture from someone that I probably hardly know... I guess that it's been on my mind lately, money matters, for various reasons ... To me, this is something from my Heavenly Father, saying that He still watches over me, and sees my wants and worries. It's a blessing to show that He still cares.

And so many other little things, little blessings. Just to count them all, to remember them, is heartwarming. Like the bag of fresh fruit and muffins that Flick's mom gave me. Having a good chat with a new friend. A heady night's sleep after study marathons. Study marathons with great company. Fun with my new college friends. The presence of doctors that empathise and prescribe antibiotics that work. A life, friends, fun and responsibilities outside of uni. Sabbaths in which I can rest, contemplate, and simply have time to be with myself.

The list goes on.

And the last thing, that I appreciate the most, and which has tided me through so much this week... the boy whom I'm thankful to call "mine". Who's held me while I've cried, who's made me laugh when I'm down, and who's basically been there for me for as long as I've known him. The boy who's told me that everything will be okay no matter how bad things look. Who makes me eat even if I'm sick and don't feel like it, who reminds me to take my medicine, who makes me go to bed when it's really late at night, and who has also slogged it out with me this week... complete with late nights with books, notes and candy (glucose! It's brain food!) sprawled everywhere. Thanks for trying to drill physiology into my head and being patient with me while I get fustrated with myself. Thanks for making me explain biochemistry over and over and over again until I can recite it backwards... and Outside of That, thanks for everything else!

Deo gratias.

Seems appropriate. And apt.