It's the incredible, unforgettable, multi-dimensional ME!

You may remember the post I wrote about my amazingly thoughtful sister and her unique Christmas gift to help me combat the blues. If you don't, you can read about it here. Or, you can scroll down and read it because it's literally like 2 posts away. Don't worry if you don't want to do either (I don't blame you), I'll give a little run down before I begin the second part.

Depression sucks. Seriously. I actually think that it literally sucks my will to live sometimes. I happened to be confiding in my sister, just before Christmas, about how bad my depression had been and still is. I didn't expect anything from her, sometimes I just need to talk and she makes a phenomenal sounding board. Fast forward a couple of weeks to Christmas. I was anxious to open my present from her because she'd mentioned being excited to give it to me "if she could pull it off." Made me curious. What she gave me was one of the most (maybe the most) considerate, thoughtful, loving gifts I've ever received and may ever receive. A jar. Not just any jar, but a jar filled with paper folded stars of beautiful papers. With it, a note: "A jar of Love and Encouragement. Open one each week for a year."

I'm not sure how many I've opened so far, but we're not even two months away from Christmas and having opened them every time I've needed a pick me up rather than once a week, I'm certain I've opened waaay more than 8. Sad that I've needed so many, but I've been eternally grateful to have each of them in my times of need.

Now for the follow-up. You may learn a few things that surprise you, some things you never knew about me. Maybe you'll realize you don't know me as well as you think. I know I've certainly been reminded of several things I'd let myself forget. Here's the list of what I've opened so far:

1. You are so thoughtful and mindful of others. You're always trying to find ways to make others happy and more comfortable. Thanks for your example.



2. "The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." -Nelson Mandela



3. Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we re here, we might as well dance!



4. "What you create doesn't have to be perfect. So what if the eggs are greasy or the toast is burned? Don't let fear of failure discourage you." -Dieter F. Uchtdorf



5. I love that she is so good at cooking and thinks everything tastes better with food dye. -Scud (Who is my adorable nephew who makes purple scrambled eggs that only he will eat and sends me pictures of them, because like he said, I get it!)



6. "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7



7. This week, call me and let's find a time to go to dinner or lunch together. (Hey Haha, we totally need to do this still!)



8. "Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else." -Judy Garland



9. "When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on." - Franklin D. Roosevelt



10. "Look unto me in every thought. Doubt not. Fear not." -D&C 6:36



11. You are never afraid (or never appear afraid) to use your voice to speak and stand up for what you believe. Wow!



12. You are smart, witty and fun to talk to. Also, I'm always amazed by all you know because you pay attention! (How did I not learn that as a kid?)



13. You are one of the most generous people I know, and like Heavenly Father, a cheerful giver of good gifts.



14. "When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it." -Henry Ford



15. "Never give up on anyone. And that includes not giving up on yourself." -Dieter F. Uchtdorf



16. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:5-6



17. "When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be." -Lao Tzu. This week, I encourage you to let go. Let go of who you were. Let go of who you think you are. Trust yourself to live, to grow, to become who you can be. It will be beautiful.



18. All of this attention you've received as a dispatcher is only the outward evidence of the inward amazingness of you. You are smart, brave, attentive. You genuinely care about others. You are doing things right. You are so good on the inside. You deserve an award daily.



19. I love that she is so caring. -Scud



20. I love that you're spunky, that you tease others and you're such a good sport. You're just so much fun.



21. You can do this! You can do hard things! You're amazing!



22. "Happiness is the object and design of our existence, and will be the end thereof if we pursue the path that leads to it." -Joseph Smith



23. I love the way she loves everyone. -Kaitybean (my wonderful niece who is not only equally spacey as her mother, but a beautiful, kind and wonderful, miniature version of her.)



24. "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." -Eleanor Roosevelt. Remember, you are in charge! -Kaitlyn (See, I told you!)



25. "I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me." Phillipians 4:13



26. "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27



27. I love that you are fiercely passionate. What you love, you love wholly. What you do, you do passionately. Bravo! (This one gets me into trouble. A lot.)



28. "Face troubles with courage, disappointment with cheerfulness, and triumph with humility." -Thomas S. Monson



29. "God loves broken things." -Jeffrey R. Holland Remembering this has literally changed my life. I know, in my bones, that God loves me in my deeply broken state. His most treasured gifts are a broken heart and a contrite spirit. His love and mercy are constant, powerful. He loves me. He loves you!



30. How blessed I am to have a sister, and that it is you! Please always remember how dearly I love you, all of you, and that you're deeply deserving of that love.

I saw a saying that describes our relationship perfectly. "My sister has the best sister in the world!" It's true... my sister's sister has the best sister in the whole world! (Did you follow that?)

Writing all of these out made me realize that my most wonderful gift didn't come in a glass jar filled with paper, but in Heavenly Father giving me the most creatively loving sister. Thank you Haha, for being you. And for loving me, just for being me.