theres no word that can explain what im feeling
Another year of Snowball... to an end... :-(
this weekend had just completely been the best of any weekend since last year. Snowball 04' was this weekend and im proud to say that i had the best time of my life. i found out so many good things about myself and things that had been happening around me which are good and bad but mostly good. the best of the best was seeing both Josh Grenard who went through a hella lot of trouble to fly himself back here all the way from IRAQ to be with us for the weekend which meant a lot and also seeing Ryan Acuff was another good thing. I honestly say that i absolutly LOVE both of them because they have helped me out so much with everything ive been going thro and the stuff thats been happening. This weekend was even more amazing with Tess and Kathleen giving their confession in front of a large group which took a lot of guts and i admire them for it. this weekend went from 11 indiviuals into 1 unique group. from the laughter to tears. from seeing Matt Kappemeyer in a leather skirt to seeing Matt W in the same leather skirt. From the good Subway lunch to the Pasta dinner. everything this weekend has put a meaning to everything. I had so many people who encouraged me to try out for a small group leader next year that I think i might as well give it another try. Even though i did not get a spot this year, Ive learend that they wanted to be fair and give the elders the chance for the experience and i totally understand and respect that. in fact, im glad i wasnt a small group leader. being another year participant was a great experience. And i want you all out there to know that even tho the media put out all the bad things that are happening in Iraq with our soldiers, there are a lot of good things happening and i totally learned that from Offical Josh Grenard himself. With another year winding down, the closing cermony was as always, the hardest to get thro. So far there hasnt been 1 year where i did not shed a tear. That is why i keep coming back. This weekend actually meant something to me and not just some "oh i got to see everybody again" but the "oh i will never forget this ever." It was unexpected to see Josh back but I'm glad he did. When the weekend was over, tonight we gathered together once again at Aurelios [sp] to spend 1 last time together before putting and end to another great year. The pizza was good.. saw a lot of people... had a lot of hugs... Chris Williams having an accident in his pants [ with water that is]... meeting some more new people... having a $79.54 bill ... having 2 fiesta pizza with 4 pitchers of pop... and most of all being able to talk to Ryan after the pizza night was over. We drove over to Caribou Coffee because I cannot bottle up anything anymore. It was that time.. the time to explode.. the time to vent.. and he was the perfect listener I could have ever asked with the best advise I can ever get. We talked to about an hour before heading back home and all I can say is.. that hour made me feel like a completely new person knowing what I am doing right now is a good thing and not just to think about others but also myself. I dont know if he know that hes been there for me every year so far and i cannot thank him enough for that. we started out as friends by just him and Josh pretending they knew me for ever at Snowball 03', then i got close to both him and Josh.. i shared my problems and they helped.. they just mean so much to me and i really love them to death. I have promised Ryan a coffee time with him this winter break and he is holding me onto it because i was too busy for him last year with basketball [sorry!] even tho i have a Shepard tourny this winter break before or after xmas i cannot remember. This year Snowball had been a blast... im so glad that i met so many new people including people from my small group.. sharing experiences with my leader and others... and just everything else about this weekend was amazing. Matt D, Im glad you stuck with going to Snowball and im glad you had fun. It meant a lot to me when you said "thanks for making me come, i had a lot of fun" [hey that rythmed! haha] it meant a lot to me knowing i had probably helped you in some way to talk to others and maybe having you grow into a better person.. not that you already isnt one.. :-) I think im just about done venting for now.. lol sorry for this post.. it was just for myself to reflect on this weekend and things that had happened..
some others that i saw and was so glad to see - Ali and Ashley W, Ashely K, Jackie L, Scott Rude, Jen Lindley, Travis Matthews, Mark Stojak, Lauren Hall, Renae H, and anyone else who i have forgotten im sorry but im drawing a blank right about now..
im gonna head up to bed so i will catch you all in the morning/night after my practice
<3 Annie