i hate the salt lake express

family isn't just the people you share a name, blood, or home with

family is a feeling

over the last year i've found family in so many places, and for that i am grateful

last thanksgiving i had the absolute worst time trying to get home. i was taking the shuttle from rexburg to the slc airport, because everybody had already left school and it was my only way to the airport. the driver was 20 minutes late picking us up, and we got more and more behind with each stop we made. when we got to ogden (which is like an hour north of the airport), i called my mom cause i was concerned i wasn't going to make it in time. my plane was to leave at 6:50 and it was already 6:00. i started to get frantic with each passing minute. i called my mom and stepdad, and my dad and stepmom, trying to figure out if there were people i could stay with in the salt lake area in case i missed my plane. at this point i was crying and most of the people on the shuttle knew what was going on. it was so embarrassing. a man came over and sat down next to me and was like "i couldn't help but overhear your situation, and if you'd like, i can help you with your things and try to get you on your plane." still a tearful mess i thanked him and accepted his offer. we got to the airport at 6:45. we rushed in the appropriate terminal and ran to the desk to find out if it was too late.... it was. i don't think i'd stopped crying this whole time. i got my mom on the phone to buy the last seat on the first flight out the next morning. they wouldn't take her credit card over the phone and i didn't have money in my checking account to use mine. the man who was still with me offered to buy me my ticket so i could get home. that may or may not have been the nicest thing anybody has ever done for me. i found family in the generosity of that man.

this thanksgiving i'm not going home,

but i'm at least going to be with my family

and during this season i can't help but remember and be grateful for the people who go out of their way to show me kindness