So many times we hear that our family is crazy, which family isn't, etc. Well as it may be true in most, if not all cases, we all have something we'd like to change in our family.
Instead of focusing on what is wrong or what we'd like to change, I've realized there is a greater need to focus on the positive. Many times we forget to tell those we care about that we love them and appreciate them before it's too late. We get so wrapped up in our lives that we forget to slow down a little to really soak in our loved ones who might not be around much longer.
When my grandpa passed away it wasn't something that was sudden. Paye is what we called him because my cousin and I couldn't pronounce Padre which was the proper form of Father in Spanish. My Paye, as I always mention, was the most amazing man I've had the privilege and blessing of having in my life. He was a real man, a man of his word, a man who took care of his family in every way possible. He did have his faults as he did divorce from his first wife and remarried my grandmother, but he always made sure his children from his first marriage were taken care of even if they didn't know it.
Growing up I always wanted to have conversations with Paye and my grandma about their past. Everything about their story fascinated me and I wanted to know more. Since Paye mainly spoke Spanish I made it my mission to practice more, taught myself how to write and read in Spanish (this definitely surprised my parents). I did this in order to be able to converse with them, write them letters to show how much I appreciated and loved them, and just have a closer relationship with them.
When my Paye passed away after almost 11 years of battling cancer and finally succumbing after getting shingles, I didn't feel as though I missed out in anything. I took full advantage of the 22 years I was able to spend with him and man were they happy years. My grandpa made me feel like the most special little girl in the world by constantly telling me how proud he was of me and how he knew I'd be successful. I was his little Buddhita (little Buddha) because I was so chunky as a baby. Paye was especially there for me when my dad and I were at our worst, and that to me meant the world.
With that being said, it has always been a point for me to appreciate my family. Even with all of the problems we have, the arguments, disagreements, disappointments, and everything in between, but they are my family. In the last almost 25 years of mine I have gone through countless friends, I've been blessed to keep in touch with a handful, but so many have come and gone. However, those who have stayed consistent have been my family.
Starting with my parents. There have been numerous times in which we've gotten so upset with each other we didn't talk for days, but in the end they're my parents. They did their best as teenage parents to raise me, feed me, provide all they could for me. For my mom being 17 and my dad being 20, they really matured faster than most their age to be the best parents they could be for me. Even when my sister was born 4.5 years later, they worked harder to give us everything they didn't have as kids. My sister and I had such a wonderful childhood filled with more trips to Disney World than many families combined, birthday parties filled with gifts, holidays filled with presents, a great education at a private Catholic school, and all of the love and affection they had to give.
My sister, who let me just say is such a strong woman, has definitely been one of the greatest blessings I received when I was 4. I was so excited when my mom was pregnant with her and once she was born it was as if she was my own. I would change her, feed her, bathe her, and just want to be with her all of the time. Now, 20 years later, I am so proud and grateful for the young woman she has become. Being only 20, she has the mature mind of a 30 year old. She has always been there for me through my teenage boy drama, college stress, and when I moved out on my own. Each other was all we had during my parents divorce that seemed to last years. I couldn't have asked for a more loving and caring sister than her and now we have been blessed to add our baby sister and step brother.
Stemming out to my immediate family, I've been blessed to have aunts and uncles who have been so caring and supportive. My cousins who were my first friends, especially the cousin I grew up with, Mari. Even now as adults, it has become apparent that my mom, sister, and cousins have been my closest and most loyal friends a person could have.
So whenever you catch yourself getting annoyed or wishing your family was different, remember that they are the only family you have in this life. Your parents will always love you, your siblings will always be there for you, and your family will always support you. If there's one main thing I must admit that I've learned over the years...it's that (and it always pains me to admit)...mom is always right! haha Time and time again my mom has warned me about certain people, warned me about certain situations, yet each time I didn't listen. What means the most to me is that she still let me make my own decision and supported it even when she knew it wouldn't work out the way I thought it would. One thing she did always love to remind me of though is that, your mother is always right. ;)
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” -Ephesians 6:1-4
Instead of focusing on what is wrong or what we'd like to change, I've realized there is a greater need to focus on the positive. Many times we forget to tell those we care about that we love them and appreciate them before it's too late. We get so wrapped up in our lives that we forget to slow down a little to really soak in our loved ones who might not be around much longer.
When my grandpa passed away it wasn't something that was sudden. Paye is what we called him because my cousin and I couldn't pronounce Padre which was the proper form of Father in Spanish. My Paye, as I always mention, was the most amazing man I've had the privilege and blessing of having in my life. He was a real man, a man of his word, a man who took care of his family in every way possible. He did have his faults as he did divorce from his first wife and remarried my grandmother, but he always made sure his children from his first marriage were taken care of even if they didn't know it.
Growing up I always wanted to have conversations with Paye and my grandma about their past. Everything about their story fascinated me and I wanted to know more. Since Paye mainly spoke Spanish I made it my mission to practice more, taught myself how to write and read in Spanish (this definitely surprised my parents). I did this in order to be able to converse with them, write them letters to show how much I appreciated and loved them, and just have a closer relationship with them.
When my Paye passed away after almost 11 years of battling cancer and finally succumbing after getting shingles, I didn't feel as though I missed out in anything. I took full advantage of the 22 years I was able to spend with him and man were they happy years. My grandpa made me feel like the most special little girl in the world by constantly telling me how proud he was of me and how he knew I'd be successful. I was his little Buddhita (little Buddha) because I was so chunky as a baby. Paye was especially there for me when my dad and I were at our worst, and that to me meant the world.
With that being said, it has always been a point for me to appreciate my family. Even with all of the problems we have, the arguments, disagreements, disappointments, and everything in between, but they are my family. In the last almost 25 years of mine I have gone through countless friends, I've been blessed to keep in touch with a handful, but so many have come and gone. However, those who have stayed consistent have been my family.
Starting with my parents. There have been numerous times in which we've gotten so upset with each other we didn't talk for days, but in the end they're my parents. They did their best as teenage parents to raise me, feed me, provide all they could for me. For my mom being 17 and my dad being 20, they really matured faster than most their age to be the best parents they could be for me. Even when my sister was born 4.5 years later, they worked harder to give us everything they didn't have as kids. My sister and I had such a wonderful childhood filled with more trips to Disney World than many families combined, birthday parties filled with gifts, holidays filled with presents, a great education at a private Catholic school, and all of the love and affection they had to give.
My sister, who let me just say is such a strong woman, has definitely been one of the greatest blessings I received when I was 4. I was so excited when my mom was pregnant with her and once she was born it was as if she was my own. I would change her, feed her, bathe her, and just want to be with her all of the time. Now, 20 years later, I am so proud and grateful for the young woman she has become. Being only 20, she has the mature mind of a 30 year old. She has always been there for me through my teenage boy drama, college stress, and when I moved out on my own. Each other was all we had during my parents divorce that seemed to last years. I couldn't have asked for a more loving and caring sister than her and now we have been blessed to add our baby sister and step brother.
Stemming out to my immediate family, I've been blessed to have aunts and uncles who have been so caring and supportive. My cousins who were my first friends, especially the cousin I grew up with, Mari. Even now as adults, it has become apparent that my mom, sister, and cousins have been my closest and most loyal friends a person could have.
So whenever you catch yourself getting annoyed or wishing your family was different, remember that they are the only family you have in this life. Your parents will always love you, your siblings will always be there for you, and your family will always support you. If there's one main thing I must admit that I've learned over the years...it's that (and it always pains me to admit)...mom is always right! haha Time and time again my mom has warned me about certain people, warned me about certain situations, yet each time I didn't listen. What means the most to me is that she still let me make my own decision and supported it even when she knew it wouldn't work out the way I thought it would. One thing she did always love to remind me of though is that, your mother is always right. ;)
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” -Ephesians 6:1-4
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