A New Normal

It is times like these when I just need to remember to count my many blessings. You know those times. Those days where your first class drags because the monotone speaker drones on and on and on about things that you can just look on a paper yourself. Those times where you forgot an important assignment, so you can't even be in class, because there is no point. Those times where you work most of your week, not being able to do homework until later, but then, being so exhausted, which already adds to the mental, and not to mention, physical exhaustion of just living. There. That felt better. I needed to get that out. I'm not perfect. And I'm not great all the time. I think that makes me secretly sad. I want to be great all the time. I want to feel the way that people view me to feel; spunky, lively, independent, adventurous, happy go-lucky. I want to be like my heroes. I want to always be smiling. I want to be positive. But, more often than not, I'm just not. ...

December 25, 2013 was the last time I saw them. It was via Skype, for which I am eternally grateful. I remember being so excited to talk to them and see their faces. Keegs hair was out of control long and curly. Liam looked not so little anymore. They wanted to talk to me the most. They wanted to hear all about the mission. I told them all that I could. I showed them their sign names. I talked to Mom and Dad next. I told them about my mission. I updated them on things that they asked about. But, I didn't tell them too much. Because I knew I'd see them just a few short months later. "Man, I can't wait to serve a mission." Words spoken by Keegan Parrish. I realized something today. Unless you have served a mission, it is more difficult to listen to the missionary stories. Maybe not hard, but I've come to realize that the people who have served missions are the ones that really connect to your stories. They know what you've gone through. They un...