Dearest Sisters,
We love memories.
This week we’ve been thinking back on so many memories. Memories of the New England fall, when the leaves turn bright oranges and reds and the air gets crisp and chilly. Memories of moving into the Vallamont house and playing sardines when every room and cupboard was completely empty. Memories of thunderstorms in Vermont when all the neighborhood kids came home soaked to the bone and smiling to the ears. Memories of holidays, horseback riding, vacations, cold nights, reunions and goodbyes. Memories of laughter, of peace, of hope, of love. Memories with each of you.
On Friday night as we took an almost midnight run to Walmart to get treats for a movie party, we got some pretty profound advice from Uncle Spencer: “Life is about Friday Nights.” Friday nights, when you can live in the moment and for once not have to worry about homework assignments due the next day or waking up on time or having a million things on your “to-do” list. Nights when you go out with your best friends or stay home and watch a movie or simply sit down with someone you love and talk for hours and hours because you can sleep in the next day. Those Friday nights when all the stresses of life melt away and all that is left is the beauty of really living.
It is so easy to fall into the trap of “someday”. I’ll be happy when I get into the college I want. I’ll be happy when I get the lead in the school musical. I’ll be happy when I get 100 likes on my facebook profile picture, or when I find my prince or when I get voted as Homecoming Queen. I’ll be happy when I become the person I want to be. We aren’t telling you that goals are bad. In fact, good dreams and desires are what will take you where you want to go in life, but that is a letter for another day. The point is, if we are always waiting for that next thing in life to make us happy, always looking ahead or behind, we will miss the pure, real happiness that comes from living in the moment, from finding the beauty in every moment, every hour, every day. In waiting for that acceptance letter from your top college choice to make you happy, you will lose the joy of living at home for those last few months before you are no longer a child. In waiting for summer to come again, you’ll miss the fun of jumping in the colorful leaves or the magic of waking up to a world that is still and quiet and white.
Gordon B. Hinckley said it perfectly: “Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured.”
Find joy today. Look around at the leaves changing outside the windows, the dogs running happily around the yard, each of our sisters doing what they love to do today.
Take a deep breath, and live in it. Be grateful for today.
We love you forever, we love you for always, forever and always, our sisters you’ll be.
Love,
Emily and Anna
Emily and you both are so right, we do get too busy or wrapped up in want we want to accomplish, and forget about the her & now, & sometimes the moment of just sitting back & relaxing and enjoying someone’s company, whether it be husband, boyfriend, family, best friend, just having good ole’ fun!!!!!
It should have said” Emily & Anna, you are both right”, lol sorry
Here and now, Wow my typing is really bad today sorry girls
We love you Debbie! Hope all is going wonderfully in your life!! 🙂