Thankful Tuesday 3/14/2017

So thankful for the women in my family! My mom is an amazingly strong lady.  She was a single parent for a large part of my life.  She worked, came home made dinner, graded papers, but still had time to give us attention. She helped us with our homework and read to us at night. I don't ever remember feeling like she didn't have time for me growing up. She was loving as well as strict, but it was a good mixture.  I'm not sure I could have done such a good job.  She has the total opposite emotional tank that I have :) She's super strong, doesn't cry and keeps you in line. I cry at the drop of a hat and I let things slide with the kids.  

My aunt, my mom's sister, is also an amazing lady. She has dealt with more medical issues than ANYONE I've ever met.  She's also emotionally strong like my mom. I'm not sure that I've ever seen either of them cry before.  My aunt has probably dealt with more pain in her life than anyone I've ever met. She looked at it like it was the cards she was dealt and she moved forward. I've very rarely heard her say that she's in pain. If she tells you she is then you know her pain level is off the charts. Due to a bone disease she's had over 20 surgeries in her life. She's also dealt with cancer and then issues because of the radiation. She's now dealing with pancreatic issues. I think she's over 30 surgeries/procedures at this point. I'm thankful for her time in my life.  I have wonderful memories of being with her and lots of laughs to think about.  

I think my mom and aunt are such wonderful ladies because of their mother! My grandmother passed away when I was younger, but I was thankful for the time I had with her. She taught me how to knit, do rug hooking and gave me a love for tea. When I was too sick for school I stayed with Dee, my grandmother.  We would play games, have soup and hotdogs, drink hot tea, take naps and knit.  I wish that she had lived long enough to see me get married and have children.


Here is one of my favorite pictures from when I was a child. My mom, Dee and Aunt Mary Lou.  

One of the best days in my cousin Kelly's life-her wedding to Michael. 

In the last few years I have developed a stronger relationship with my cousin Kelly. When we were younger we played together, had fun at holidays and I even would babysit when the adults went out. For many, many years Kelly and I didn't really talk. We were at different places in our life and might see each other at Thanksgiving. When I lived in California for 12 years I'm not sure I even saw/spoke to Kelly six times.  In recent years we have gotten so much closer and I'm thankful. She has found the love of her life and thankfully I was able to attend their wedding. We have a strong bond now and are trying to be more supportive of each other as we realize that one day our moms will no longer be here:( I wish I loved closer to these wonderful ladies, but I know that 4 hours is MUCH better than over 3,000 miles :) If something happens to any of them I can be there in a few hours.  So thankful these ladies are in my life!!