Honoring Those I Love

Blessed are those who give without remembering. And blessed are those who take without forgetting. ~ Bernard Meltzler

I love this time of year. The weather is perfect as it casts a cool air upon us. The leaves are turning color and twirling around us as we take a walk. It's the time of year when I find myself smiling at nothing in particular except the mere existence of myself and those I love and all that life has to offer. This time of year hosts Thanksgiving and Christmas, two days that are based on love, family, honor, giving thanks, and being grateful for all the possibilities we as individuals have been blessed with.

I have many things to be thankful for this year. If this were my winning speech for best actress this is who I'd thank, and why:

I'd like to thank my Mother for being the amazing rock she is. I'd like to honor her character, her strength, and her wisdom. I'd like to acknowledge her kindness, her forgiveness, and her understanding nature. I want to thank her for not only being an amazing mother, but the best grandmother to my children and my siblings' children. She's not only their grandmother, but a third parent to them as she is always there. I have so many wonderful memories of this woman and I hope I am blessed enough have many, many more.

I'd like to thank my father for always providing me with a laugh growing up. When I was little and the others were off to school, I had the privilege of having one on one time with him. Some of my earliest memories were getting lunch at KFC and going to the river for a day of hiking or playing. He is proud of all his children and grandchildren and continuously lets us know that. This man loves his family and is extremely proud of the lives we've created for ourselves.

I'd like to thank my siblings, all of them. Being the youngest of four, I think I've had the best opportunity to form unique relationships with each of them individually. For the oldest, Richard---I'd like to acknowledge that you are the coolest brother ever. We share a lot of the same interests and have quite an understanding for each other. To my sister Stephnie, we may disagree on many things, but I know there is a love there that can never be broken. You are the person that I turn to when I need an advocate when my own voice is not being effective. You have a deep love for those you care about, and I think we share that trait. To my brother Chris, you are your own person. You've never cared about what people have thought about you and you've always stood up for a person who could not defend them self. I admire you for that. You are a loving individual with a big heart and you have more knowledge in that brain of yours than you give yourself credit for.

I'd like to thank my sister friend Brooke who has taught me that relation doesn't always come by blood. She is like my sister and I am so lucky to have her in my life. I don't know what I did to deserve a friend like her, but I've been lucky enough to keep her for about 15 years now and I don't plan on ever giving her up. She is a unique individual who's outlook on life is so thought-provoking. She always provides the words (not matter how little or how harsh) to get me through life's toughest situations. And her outlook on how to mend a broken heart is one-of-a-kind. She's seen me at my best and at my worst, and through it all....she's loved me anyway.

And for my Tami, who've I've been sister friends with for half my life, I don't know what I would have done without you. We fight like sisters, share tears like babies, and we are as dramatic as the reality stars I watch on television...but we are the best of friends and have such an understanding, and an obvious tolerance for each other. We may not always see eye-to-eye and we may bicker, but both of us know our friendship will never end. It can't. Because I think we'd be lost without each other. Thanks for letting me be my crazy self and always encouraging me that I'm better than what I probably actually am ;).

And I can't forget my Bethany. I haven't know Bethany for long, but we've become very close in the short time I've known her and I can discount the impact she's had on my life. Bethany is a person of great character. She is wise for her young age, but her wisdom comes from experience. She acknowledges an imperfect past but also seeks a better future. She's sought many ways to do this and I'm proud of her for being proactive about being a better person so that she can enjoy the rest of her life and not be weighed down by these past experiences. She teaches me so much about myself, and we have so many similarities. I am honored to share traits with her as I look up to her for her strength and determination. She's definitely been placed in my life strategically, and God definitely knows what he is doing. But Bethany is not just a seasonal placement; she will be in my life forever, if she'll have me :).

And to my own beautiful family:

Riley, Princess Angel, Ri Ri, Roo Roo, Rise...I love you so very much. The day I met you was the start of my life. Since then, I've learned the important things about life and how simple happiness can truly be. Every time you smile, laugh...my heart smiles. You are such a unique little person who has so much to offer already. You are beautiful, articulate, compassionate, intelligent, gentle, funny, helpful, caring, and intuitive. You are becoming a little lady so quickly and I know as you grow, so will your wonderful list of qualities. Thank you for giving the gift of becoming a mother.

To my Parker, Park, Park Bro, Bubba, Pumpkin, Noodle...I never expected to have such a perfect little boy. I feel so privileged that God gave you to me. From the day you were born, I knew you were made just for me. You are what boys should be, cute and sweet and rotten to the core ;). You are everything I imagined when I imagined a little boy and not a day goes by I'm not thankful for the gift of you. You enjoy life so much and that makes me so happy. I love your contagious smile and laughter and it's a God thing that I think you got these qualities from the man you were named after, Bryan Jackson, my cousin. Bryan always enjoyed life. He always smiled, laughed. He lit up rooms and charmed all those he encountered. Just as you do. Parker, you have definitely made me fall in love with you and no matter what girl comes along and tries to claim you, you will always be my little man. Thank you for blessing me with becoming a mother to a boy. It's been so very rewarding and I'm sure it's a gift that will keep giving.

Last, but not least, I'd like to thank my best friend in life. Tim, you aren't only my partner, but oddly enough you have become my best friend. I know times have been tough and we've had our share of ups and downs, but I believe in my heart that we are together for a reason. You ground me and you reason with me like no other, and I appreciate that you can do that. You love me even when I'm impossible and I know that must be hard. You are strong, smart, kind, loving, and fun. You know when to be serious and you know when it's time to let go and have fun. You tell me when I'm wrong and you tell me the truth even if it's not what I want to hear. And I need my best friend to do that so that I can grow as a person. I love you more than I could ever tell you in words, but if you allow me, I'll spend the rest of my life SHOWING you. Hopefully, we know enough now to make this work. I believe the worst is behind us and I am ready for all the GOOD the future has to offer. LUMED.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope this blog will inspire each of you to thank someone for being such a force in your life, or even just tell them how much you love them or how you truly feel. Life is too short to leave a person wondering. As I near my 30s, I realize more and more that life is so little about the material things and ALL about the people and relationships that are closest to us. Make your relationships a priority today.

I love you all.