I was looking back on my blog this morning for one of my posts regarding my mom and found the post below. I thought it was great time to post it again - 2 years later. Each Blessing that I've listed still applies and I thought it an appropriate time for these memories!
Tag. . . I’m it! Thankful Meme Annie has tagged me – the theme is three (3) things for which I am thankful. I have to say that three of the many blessings I have received will hardly even begin to touch my lengthy list, but here are three.
1… I am thankful for my husband, Jody. Jody came into my life at a time when, after being a single mom for almost eight years, I truly felt that my life was complete! I was not looking for, nor did I think I ever wanted to be married – after two failed marriages. My first two marriages were filled with abuse – emotional and extreme physical abuse. The abuse was so severe and I had come to believe that marriage and torture were one and the same – at least for me! Jody showed me that love is not painful or unkind! I believe that God brought Jody into my life and led me to accept Jody as my husband for the rest of my life. Jody loves me unconditionally for the person that I am – even with my faults. His expectations of me are realistic and don’t involve punishment if I’m unable to meet those expectations! Jody helped me become a better, more tolerable and more trusting person by loving me. I will thank God, for the rest of my life, for bringing Jody into my life.
2… I am thankful for my children and grandchildren. Elizabeth is my first-born child. She is 26 years old, a wife, a mother and a sister to our other children. Elizabeth and I have a very close relationship – she is not only my daughter, but also one of my best friends. She is a great mom to my only granddaughter. She has a strong faith in God, which is shared by her husband, Michael. She and Michael make a great team – a union formed under the leadership of our Lord. I know that whatever Elizabeth does in this life will be great because she allows God to lead her decisions.
Chance is my baby (even at 17 years of age), born to Jody and me after only 11 months of marriage. We knew that we wanted a child together after we married and were doubly blessed – becoming pregnant so quickly and having a boy – after having three girls in our family already. Chance is very loving and very sensitive. He has an amazing sense of humor and shares it with his family and friends! He is very intelligent and after being tested in while in grade school, was placed in the gifted program! He retains information without much study, but doesn’t always apply himself to schoolwork! He is in the process of learning to drive – even though he really doesn’t care whether he drives or not. He’s not in a hurry to drive and that’s okay with me.
Candace is one of my “instant’ children, becoming mine to share when Jody and I married. She is 24 years old, is a wife and a mother and a great sister to her our other children. She helps me a lot – always ready and willing if she’s needed. Candace is strong, even though she doesn’t know it always. She is a good mom to my two youngest grandsons and loves her boys over everything else. She doesn’t mind hard work and is a great housekeeper. Candace and I are close and I hope that never changes.
Toni is my other “instant” daughter – also becoming mine to share when Jody and I married. Toni is 27, is a wife and a mother to my oldest grandson. She takes her job as wife and mother very seriously and loves her family dearly. Toni was nine (9) when we married and she and I went through a lot of trials together. Toni loved her mom very much and wanted, of course, for her mom and dad to be together always. Toni’s mom died when Toni was 16 and that has been hard for her. I know that she would have loved for her mom to be around to see her as she is now and to have been there for her to share in her special moments – high school graduation, her marriage and the birth of her son. I love Toni and I will always.
3… I am thankful for my “other” family – my siblings, aunts and uncles and cousins. I grew up in a wonderful family in which we were very close to both my Dad’s family and my Mom’s family. We had great reunions – and still do – getting together often and therefore knowing each other well. My parents taught us – their children – to love God above all else and to live our lives according to His will. They taught us love and kindness and the importance of family. Both extended families are made up of Christians and that was evident in every aspect of our lives. When we all met together there was never drinking, distasteful language or mistreatment of each other. We always knew, and still know today, that each member of the families would do anything for any other member of the family – no matter what! My parents are both gone now – but we are still a family - They taught us that!
My thankful list is long – these are only three of my great blessings - as requested!
In His Love and Blessings
annb
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