Clarity

If you are walking through a room full of stools be careful not to tip one over into your leg. If you are like me (meaning if a tap on the shoulder leaves you black and blue) then a stool that slams into your leg at a velocity comparable to that of a stock-car in Daytona will leave you with a really nasty mark. ENDS majors suffer for their craft - stools tumble into legs, X-acto knives stick into ankles, and Cheese-Its puncture corneas and it's all very dangerous. My designs just weren't worth the risk and I figure the worst thing that could happen to an English major is a paper cut.

I used to think that my birthdate was bad because I'd always be out for Christmas break by December 19th and I wouldn't get to bring cupcakes to school for my classmates. Now I think my birthdate is even worse because I won't get to spend it with some of my very best friends, let alone share cupcakes. Speaking of which...

I have such a wonderful network of friends (both in college and at home). My whole family is so lucky to know so many amazing people. So many visitors and well-wishers came by the hospital this past weekend that the waiting room seemed like our second livingroom. Some friends from church decorated our house for Christmas since my mom can't and it's supposed to be beautiful, others bought a small Christmas tree for my dad's room, and others have been staying up at the hospital with my mom or spending the night there with my dad so that my mom can get sleep at home. Everyone who knows about my dad has been offering help and prayers and sentiments and it's just been incredible. Thank you.

And for anyone who doesn't know what I am talking about - my dad had a bleeding stroke last Friday. A bleeding stroke means that a blood vessel ruptured in my dad's brain. A bleeding stroke is better than a clot stroke because a bleeding stroke causes some brain damage but does not kill brain cells like a clot stroke does. My dad's right side is paralyzed and he has trouble talking but he's been getting progressively better and he's a pretty persistant guy so we're hopeful that he'll get through it. My first goal for him is that he'll relearn how to swallow so that I can make him the oatmeal/peanut butter chip/chocolate chip cookies that he's been asking for since October. A family crisis teaches you the importance of showing loved ones that you care, among other things.

Perfect segue to a final (and quite important) point: see 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.