(the fam, minus my brother who was on a mission, circa 1993)
I love our families. All of my sisters and sisters-in-law are so dear to me. I love spending time with them and going to family parties. We are usually the last to leave any family function because we love spending time with lots of people.
In my younger years my dad was in the Air Force. My parents (and most of my older siblings) spent the majority of the time living far away from family. We moved to Idaho when I was 9.
Throughout the years, I remember my parents talking about dear friends they had (and still have) all across the country, and world - from Hawaii to Virginia, Texas to Germany. My parents have very fond memories with them. They were the ones that babysat when my mom was in labor. They were the ones who called to just say "hi." When my mom had 3 small children, she used to "swap" kids with a friend every other week so they could have a few hours to clean house, run errands, or work on a project. They were (and are) as dear as family to my parents.
Now we are far away from family. We don't get to go home very much to visit. In fact, we really don't know when we will go home. So far, this has been a wonderful adventure. We already have dear friends that we can steal milk from and who will watch the kids for doctors appointments or dates. I know that they will be our friends forever.
I am so thankful that my parents taught me that time spent far away from family can be wonderful and rewarding. That eternal friendships develop, husband and wife grow together, and there are opportunities to grow found no where else. Though I miss our families, I don't feel homesick. This is my home and I am just happy!
9 comments:
I think this proves the quote from "Finding Forrester" so true: "Family. Not born our blood, but can become our blood." Our parents basically rock.
the picture was taken 21 June 1993.
Thank you for posting that nerdy picture for the whole world to see. I'm glad you are enjoying your time away. I keep trying to convince Brody that we need to move FAR away for a while, just to have an adventure. So far, it hasn't worked.
Oh, and I'm pretty sure that Shari gets to be the most embarassed about the picture because those pants are really terrible. Hee hee.
Karianne, don't worry, the whole world won't see it. My readership isn't that big...
I am agreed, Erin. Moving here to Vegas away from ALL of our family and friends has been a definite growing experience. I think we are all stronger for it - I know that John and I have grown closer and we've been reaching out to our friends more since there is no family close by.
But sometimes I wish that YOU still lived closeby - miss you, friend!
I'm so grateful for you and that our families have blended so well!!! This post filled me with lots of warm fuzzies! I totally feel the same way! And you can steal milk from us anytime, seriously. Oh and you guys need to go on a date night soon - I think it's been a while for both of us! Loves to you!
Hooray for being happy where you are planted!! And here's hoping that someday you can get repotted closer to us again.
i would get the ugly outfit award if you could have seen the nasty dress i had on under my cap and gown.
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