thankful for: sad goodbyes

Y'all know how much I love a good guest blogger. My sweet friend Kelli Collins asked me if she could write something and I did not hesitate one second! Kelli is almost done with her freshmen year at the University of Central Arkansas. I am sure Kelli has learned lots of important things over her first year of college. Kelli has written about sad goodbyes, but how to be thankful for them .We can all agree how hard it is to say goodbye! I hope you enjoy her first Southern and Thankful guest blog! We are so thankful for your Kelli!!!

“How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” –A.A. Milne

As I pack my car, once again, my stomach begins to twist a twinge. After eighteen years of living at home, it is easy to forget that home is not my home for most of the time anymore. College is hard. Not only because of the studies, but also because we, as young adults, are thrown into this world by ourselves without someone to tell us what it will feel outside that day, without a home cooked meal, and without having clean clothes put into our room nightly. The hardest part of college really is not the “adulting” that comes with it, but having to leave your whole world behind.
My mom and dad are my rock. Although I do not find enough time to talk or even text them as much as I should, they mean everything to me. My mom, as those of you who know me may already know, cried for weeks leading up to me moving to college. What she does not know… so did I. I was not scared to go to college; I was sad to leave my parents. My niece, Ana Kate, is 10.5 months old. I have missed most of the milestones already- first words, crawling, etc. That is one of the hardest things I have to live with-missing out on her life. She is so precious to me. If I could be with her every day, I would. These are the reasons saying goodbye is so hard. 

As I pack my things, hug my parents, and drive down the dusty dirt road, I cannot help the catch in my throat. I cannot help the tears welling up in my eyes. I cannot help the ache in my heart. You see, I love my alone time. I love being independent. Of course I miss them while I am at school, but the actual goodbye is the hardest part. Today, I am thankful for sad goodbyes. I am thankful for the hugs and the sad nature that comes with it. If I did not struggle, I would not have so many influential people in my life that truly makes me push on to accomplish my goals.

Bible Verse of the Day:  "Because He bends down I will pray as long as I have breath." - Psalm 116:2

Your Truly,
​Southern and Thankful