So in advance sorry if I forget someone or something, the kids use up most of my brainpower so sometimes it is hard to remember it all!
On Oprah sometimes they have a show about thanking those who have helped you, and I think some of the biggest influences on me have been from people who don't even realize it. So this is my "Oprah" show.
1. My 10th grade tennis coach, I can't even remember his name. (Sometimer's starts early when you have kids) I didn't even like him, but I learned about sportsmanship from him. I had just moved to York, I wasn't happy to be there, but I have never forgotten the lessons that he taught me, that I have passed on to my kids and taught to the kids that I have worked with over the years.
2. When I had my third son Luke and over time we came to learn and understand all of his disabilities I would spend a lot of time thinking back on watching Sandy and Lynn Sechrist (my friend Amy's parents) deal with their son Brent's illness and death. How to me they lived each day for each day and treasured their time with him. How when he died they cried, laughed, and still lived and enjoyed. Karl and I spent a lot of time talking as we slowly came to see all of the challenges ahead for Luke and we decided that that example would be how we would work and move ahead with Luke in his trials and struggles.
3. I was always older then my cousins (eight years older), so I was able to play "mom" with all my cousins. So that when I had my own kids - diapers, poop, spit up, and all that fun stuff was just routine. Scott was my first "toy" (I guess at this point I should apologize for pinching you so I could pick you up when you cried, but you seem to have gotten over that without any damage). After Scott came all these girl cousins. Imagine to my way of thinking a never ending supply of talking dolls, to dress, do their hair, and make up. I use to giggle watching my Uncle Dick thinking about his little girls being my age and "all grown up".
4. From my Grandma and Grandpa Bennett I learned about family. I do miss their house in Frederick and all the family holidays. Each Christmas and Easter I think back to pictures on the stair or outside wall. When I read my kids Babar and Father Christmas I think about my Grandma reading it to me, and my tree never looks right because Grandpa's train is not under it. I think one reason all the cousins still enjoy being together, even if we don't get to see each other often is because of those times.
5. My friend Ruth taught me that cows do fly and to always follow your heart, because it takes you to were you should be. Whenever I see a Far Side Cartoon with cows flying I always think back to our trip to Wyoming.
6. Amy and Kevin are still my "best friends" after all these years. Even though our lives are busy, when we are together the time apart melts away and I just want the fun times to continue. Though Kevin is the oldest, and seems to be falling apart faster then me or Amy.
7. My seminary teachers taught me to love the scriptures, even if when life is busy and they are making a good door stop next to my bed. I can always find peace when I read them.
8. Stacey and Paul are the two people who have moved far away that I want back. (I know your reading this Stacey) I miss you both, and wish you were here.
9. Mary Ellen and Eric Ferrin showed me whenever I was with them about love, and showing it to those around you and especially to your spouse. Whenever me kids go yuke or ewh when I kiss Karl I think back to the Ferrin's. She also taught me that you could cook a turkey whenever you want to not just on Thanksgiving. Okay, I know that sounds weird, but did you know you can cook a turkey whenever you want to, the thought had never crossed my mind until I was at the Ferrin's for dinner one night and they ate a turkey. Now I don't want to blow your mind, but you don't have to cook all the "trimmings" when you have turkey either.
10. When I married Karl he had two sisters and four brothers. Okay, so he still does, but coming from a small family and only brothers. I was thrilled to finally have "sisters". Karl and I have so enjoyed watching his brothers grow up, marry, and now have kids of their own and with that a whole new group of sisters came into this family and I love each and every one of you. Getting together is so much fun and never long enough.
Now you can see I'm feeling reflective right now and you probably stopped reading this part way through. I haven't mentioned my parents, step parents, or brother. I will save that for another day. I will just say that I love you all. I am blessed with family and friends that make life full and colorful. I wouldn't trade any of you. (I'm not going to proof this, hope there aren't to many mistakes, if there are I'll just blame the "sometimer's illness)
Love to all.
