My Dad always told me that when no one else is there for you, family always will be. He was right. When I think about the times in my life when I needed someone to be there (including the current), it was always some family member...Parents, Grandparents, Aunt, Uncle, and most recently my beautiful daughter. Family is a wonderful thing. ..we should never take family for granted. We should make sure they always know how much they are loved and appreciated.
I love big family gatherings. There is nothing more precious than walking into a room full of family and being able to feel the love that surrounds you. It can be overwhelming at times but who says too much warm and fuzzy is not a good thing...not me. That's one of the reasons I get SO excited when the holidays roll around. One can usually be assured that during the holidays, there will not only be enormous amounts of food (that has been lovingly prepared), but also plenty of family around to eat the enormous amounts of food. I LOVE that! (Can you say Steak or Congo bars anyone?)
The other great thing about family is they love you for who you are...who you were...and who you will be. My Parents and Grandparents (specifically Grandparents) have always been my biggest fans. They have always encouraged me, believed in me, and helped me realize my fullest potential...and even though my current person is not the entirety of who I will be in this lifetime, I'm well on my way to being that person. I truly believe my life can be whatever I want it to be because of their admiration, love, and support.
Even though my Dad and my Grandparents have moved on, I know they are with me every day, every step of the way. I can feel it. As I work through my own personal challenges, I am confident that everything will be okay because I have their love and support. I'm also SO thankful for my daughter who is (and always has been) one of my very best friends. She helps me keep things in perspective and... keep it all very real.
So, with all that said, make sure you tell your family (on a daily basis) how much you love and appreciate them. We are who we are because they've loved us.
In family life, love is the oil that eases friction, the cement that binds closer together, and the music that brings harmony.-- Eva Burrows
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You know... This is so true. And the sad thing is that we take our family for granted the most. We know they will always be there so often times we treat them the worst.
ReplyDeleteI hope that someday I have the relationship with Hailey that you have with Kirsten. I don't have that with my Mother and don't even know what it feels like. You two are very lucky.
You will...you are a very involved Mom and that's what it takes. As an outsider peering into your life, it feels to me like your children are your priority. That's what makes it all work.
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