Oh May!

May has thus proven so far to be a CRAZY-BUSY-FANTASTIC month. And I'm assuming it will only get more crazy, more busy, and (hopefully) more fantastic (:

This past Saturday was prom. My date was my best guy friend and we doubled with my best girl friend and her best guy friend. It was fun and relaxing.

As I was dancing to the last song with David, tears welled up in my eyes. We had come so far. From playing on the playground when we were kids, to "dating" during our eighth grade year, to our first cars and first drives together (where I infamously ran the stop light), to where we are presently. We have gone through so many things together. I can't even explain the bond I have with him. And to think, it will all soon be over. I will be moving, he will be staying... and I know our friendship will have to change. It was a truly bittersweet moment of my life.

That last dance has made me realize it really is ending soon. I will soon leave the high school I've been attending for the past three years, for the last time. I will walk the halls with my friends for the last time. I will eat the cafeteria food for the last time. I will see so many of these people for the last time. And all that will begin to happen in a mere 23 days. How major is that?

And yet, despite all I'm leaving behind, God is showing me that He has so much more to offer to me as long as I keep following Him. I feel so BLESSED. Words can't describe. My past means so much to me, my present is amazing, and my future... my future is His :)

This post was intended to tell you what all I've been up to since I last blogged. But somehow... this is enough. One event and how it impacted me pretty much sums up the most major part of my life right now. I'm on a balance beam, treading water, you get the imagery... and yet... this is my life here and now. And I couldn't ask for more!

I love... you.

Today, approximately 1 half hour ago, I finished reading An Abundance of Katherines by John Green. Generally, I've tried to stop reading as much young adult fiction as I used to read and grow up into the "adult" world of novels. I have to admit I still enjoy a good young adult fiction novel as much as I used to. This novel was certainly one of those books that gave me pleasure in my heart to read. A basic moral to the story, so that I can set up my post, is that we all have stories. The past makes us who we are today. Our stories are what we leave behind. And by hearing someone else's story, we are changed if even slightly. And by telling our story, we can change someone else, if even slightly. That's a beautiful concept to me, and one I've always thought was true.

I'm a listener by nature. My name, Samantha, is even Hebrew for listener. By habit I tend to ask questions that delve into people's lives- past, present, and what they hope for the future. I collect stories. Some people collect rocks, stamps, or magazines, and I personally love to collect stories. Who each one of us is, is so intricate to the delicate way we are connected. God gave scientists the ability to discover parts of His amazing creation. He also gave people like me words; and ears to hear those words so that we could learn about one another.

Last summer I went down to Boise with my grandma and cousin. On the return trip home I asked my grandma to recount parts of her childhood, which she gladly did. I learned an abundant amount of information, some of which even her own children didn't know. For instance, my grandma used to dance!! How crazy is that? She was human? She was a teenager? By golly, it's so true. And it was lovely. She was bearing part of her soul to me, because the past once again, makes up who we are in the present. My grandma, at her 84 years old, was beautiful and vulnerable and inviting. Everything a woman should be, all because I asked her simple questions that began the journey of me getting to know her better.

This summer, I'm flying to Portland a week before our family reunion is to start so that I may spend time getting to know my grandparents who live in that area. I've spent weeks during summers previous as a young teenager, but never before has this urge to get to know them intimately been stronger. And it won't stop there.

I'm going to collect stories. Because for one, to know that someone wants to hear your story is probably an amazing gift (at least I think so.) But also, because a piece of each person will live in me... and I will be able to tell my children an abundant amount of stories. Because, as much as we hate to admit it, we are one people. God's children. And each one of us deserves to tell the story of our life, the story of God's life for us. And me? I want to know all of those stories.

If you ever feel like sharing, just know that I'm willingly here to "listen." I would love it as a matter of fact :) You are important to God, and you are important to me.

With all love,
Sami