Around two weeks ago, I was able to turn around a particularly emotionally challenging day by sorting through hundreds of family photos. Pictures of school concerts, family vacations, play dates with little friends, holidays, bbqs, me and my siblings playing, snuggling up with grandparents - these photos represent so much joy and the events and people that have helped to shape me.There were just so many photos, which is amazing. To me, this means that I have parents that thought it was important to capture me and my brothers' childhoods.
Beyond taking a inordinate number of photos, my parents have done so much for me and my brothers. In fact, while I have much to be thankful for, above all else I am grateful for my parents. Everything that I have in my life, I owe to them.
My parents have been married for 33 years and they still hold hands, go on dates and cuddle. They have shown me how to be a partner and spouse. In a time when divorce is commonplace, my parents are so committed to each other that I don't even think that word is spoken in their house. They make me so excited to get married, start a family, and hopefully give my children as much as they have given me. I would be remiss if I didn't mention that my parents each were raised by incredibly loving and protective parents, which I'm sure also showed them how to do things right.
*Sam - my love, my rock, my partner. He came into my life at a time when I was just trying to get out there and try my hand at dating. I wasn't trying to find the love of my life, but there he was. I am so thankful for Sam and all of the joy he has brought to my life.
*Jeremy - my younger brother and best friend. I remember being a pissed off 2 year old, learning that I would no longer be an only child. I wanted a sister and instead got a brother and a cabbage patch doll named Jessica. I thank God that I didn't get my bratty wish to stay an only child or have a sister. Jer cracks me up, supports me, deals with all of my crazy, and loves me.
*Ryan - the littlest one in my family. He taught me patience, since frankly he was kind of a bratty kid. Now that he's a grown up second year medical student I am so proud of the adult he has become. He is thoughtful, seeks opportunities to make a difference in his community, and offers me support and laughs when I need them. I also remember wanting a sister when my mom was pregnant with him (clearly sisters weren't in the cards), one time yelling down her throat to the baby "be a girl! I want you to be a girl." Obviously not how science works, but made sense to my 7 year old mind.
*Parents - see above.
*Grandparents - unfortunately they are no longer with me. However I am so blessed to still be learning from them. From them I have learned that family is more important than anything else. Things are just things, but true richness comes from taking care of, loving and supporting your family and the people that you hold dear.
*Family - cousins, aunts and uncles. Again, they shaped me and showed me how to be a friend and a part of a community.
*Friends - I have lived all over the map throughout my 20s, which means my friends are now scattered across the country and the world. Despite the physical distance of some of my closest friends, they are so good to me and we are so good to each other.
*Job - once upon a time I worked in food PR. It was fun, but it wasn't fulfilling. I am so fortunate to work in fundraising and development now, which allows me to use my skills and strengths to better my community. Beyond that, my colleagues inspire and support me.
*The roof over my head and food in my belly.
*Clothes in my closet and boots in my shoe supply (needed a shallow one in there!)
*Music
*Learning - always learning and growing!
*Literature
*My community
Well, this was a long post, which is good, because it means there is a lot that I hold dear.
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