Family. I grew up understanding that family was related “by blood.” I didn’t even know anyone who had been adopted until I was in high school. I was taught that there were things you only shared with family…secrets were to be kept and kept close. After both of my parents died, I felt a profound loss. I felt like an orphan. I would no longer be anyone’s “little girl.” My mother passed away in 1996 and my father in 2007. I still miss them terribly.
My family has gotten smaller over the years due to broken relationships. Sometimes the only thing you can do is pray for the heart of an individual and live your life the best way you can. I am blessed to have an amazing husband and two sons. I can’t imagine my life without them. Our holidays are spent together eating, laughing and being together. I know one day that will change when my sons move and marry (and hopefully have children).
This Christmas season has been one of the best in many years. Being unemployed has given me the gift of time…time to be present with my family in a different way. It has been tremendous. I know that sounds crazy, but I believe my time of unemployment is coming to a close, so finding the blessings in the midst of misfortune has been one of the best things I have done. It’s about perspective.
The other big realization for me this season has been understanding who family truly is. It’s not always being related “by blood.” It’s about your relationships and the perspective you have in them. As the “pastor’s family,” we have a built in church family that has been amazing. In each church where my husband as served as either a music minister or pastor our family has been loved on and cared for well. I’ve made some friends in those congregations who have helped my family in many ways. But today, as we left church, we stopped by a friend’s house. Her family was meeting before lunch and we were welcomed in as if we were a part of them (by blood). It gave me a sense of happiness and belonging like I’ve not had in a very long time.
Our families come together in many ways. I am so glad, that when we moved to New Mexico over ten years ago, that I allowed myself to see others as family. From Thanksgiving 2006 when we hosted 20 people in our home for the first time out of Houston, to now, I give great thanks for the people who have been in our lives.
Perspective can make or break you, and I am glad to be in a place where I am open to anything and everything that life has to offer.
Today I Am Thankful For:
- Old movies
- Homemade tamales
- Thoughtful gifts
- Copper mugs
- “M” and “G”
