I remember.

Sometimes when I meet someone and they learn how many times I have moved they express sympathy. Moving a lot can be difficult yes, and I've definitely experienced enough heart ache because of it. But then there are night like tonight when I remember of all the people I have met and all the experiences ive had and that pain seeps away and is replaced by gratitude and... near excitement at the mere memory of it all. For me, the hardest part about moving about is remembering to let go all those people I have grown to love in the period of time I knew them.
Sometimes I wish I could have simply stayed in one place, but then I remember;

I remember Georgia- hiking stone mountain, driving a porche for the first time, being lovingly accepted by the young adults there, driving through those tall pines covered in snow and my first gingerbread house. I remember going to my very first... and second prom there, with the same gal! And I remember seeing how many burgers we could eat at wendy's. And I remember the time spent at the Mission Presidents home- little did he and his family know the influence they would have on me.  I remember being to stubborn to wear church apparel and showing up in blue jeans- and I also remember them acting as though they diddnt notice. I remember working at the Bishops Storehouse and the way that made me feel, the overwhelming sense of service and love for those I diddnt even know. I remember being enveloped in love. I remember discovering my true testimony, sharing it for the first time, and using it to decide to go on a mission myself. I remember the way those tall pines and welcoming young adults changed my life.

I remember Tenneessee- the place I will always think of as home. I remember the rolling green hills and the endless pasture land. I remember the town that started off as nothing more than a blink that has grown into a metropolis. I remember the heartache of a first crush... of a first love. I remember the trepidition of a first date. I remember learning how to drive... and ultimately my first car accident. I remember not one, not two or three or even four, but five homes I knew there. I remember the mistakes I made there- and the power of the Atonement I learned. I remember the pain I experienced at the hand of others... and the lesson in forgiveness that followed. I remember driving around at early hours in the morning, windows down and music loud. I remember fireflies. I remember discovering who I was, and figuring out who I wanted to become. I remember the smell of home. 

I remember California- somewhere that will always hold my heart. I remember the trials I faced and the lessons learned. I remember the frustration I experienced- and the patience I learned. I remember the magnified testimony I gained- and my appreciation and graditude in the Atonement deepened. I remember friends gained and friends lost. I remember loved ones lost. I remember the feeling of selflessness. I remember being the best I could possibly be. I remembered the humility I tried to perfect in myself.  I remember learning to love myself. I remember the happiness I found that I never knew was possible. I remember those people I grew to love in the most pure and selfless way, and the pain that I am not as close to them now as I was at one time. I remember those people who have forever changed my life. I remember being a disciple of Christ.

I remember Idaho- where I first discovered my problem with depression. I remember my struggle with math. I remember a huge heartbreak. I remember laying out under summer skies with a beautiful girl. I remember endless movie nights wrapped up in a blanket with the same girl. I remember feeling accomplished over a "defeated" semester. I remember the helplessness I felt while trying to figure out where to go next in my life. I remember the humility I tried to continually improve. I remember learning how to drive a bulldozer. I remember learning how to build a patio. I remember bridge jumping into the snake river. I remember friendships gained and lost. I remember. 

I remember Arizona- I remember the difficulty I experienced in living at home again after several years. I remember remembering the pros to living at home. I remember a welcoming young single adult ward. I remember overcoming a huge fear- singing in front of a huge crowd. I remember sitting under a palm tree reading a book- a week before Christmas. I remember Thanksgiving with just the four of us, and how great that was. I remember my struggle with staying active in the church. I remember the persistence of the young adults in making sure I felt included. I remember the graditude I felt towards them because of it. I remember.

and after next week, ill be remembering Alaska- the people I have met here. I will remember the love. I will remember the acceptance. I will remember my roomate and the late night talks about the gospel, and life. I will remember the positive influence on my life. I will remember a boss who become so much more- a mom away from home. I will remember the beautiful scenery. I will remember the patience I learned dealing with demanding tourists all day. I will remember being so very grateful I decided to come. I will remember being grateful all the friends I made there decided to go to. I will remember staying up way later than I should playing board games- and ultimately having to get up way to early for work the next morning. I will remember eating crab for the first time. I will remember zip lining over the canopy of a rainforest. I will remember being in a small boat as humback whales feed. I will remember the prayers of graditude issued in just a few short months. I will remember the changes I made to my life. I will remember. 

Sometimes it can be difficult going from place to place. However I would not be the person I am today without all these experiences- and they are bountiful and amazing and I am so grateful for them all. When I look back yes, I do feel a small pang that I dont necessarily have "roots" anywhere, but then I remember. I remember all of the amazing things I have seen, done, experienced and felt. I remember the relationships had, the love shared. I remember the broken hearts and the frustration with a friend. I remember the people I have met. I remember the testimony I have gained. I remember the things I have learned and I remember all that I have to share. 

I remember.