The Greatest Gifts

One of the greatest gifts that I have ever received is my husband, Randy, and what he has taught me.

He came into my life when I was just 15. My life was in turmoil and I had nobody. My mother had died just 2 years prior leaving myself, a 10 year old brother, and 2 little sisters who were 2 and 3 years old.

My father moved us out to Arizona and did try to work and care for us, he just was not able to do it, so after a year my grandparents in Ohio sent us kids plane tickets to come and live with them, but told my Dad that they would not help him. So my life was turned upside down again.

I loved my grandparents, but I soon learned that my stepgrandmother really only wanted to take care of my 2 sisters, she did not want my brother and I. My brother moved back with my Dad, but I just could not leave my sisters. I am the one who had been taking care of them the last few years.

Just when I really needed someone, into my life walks Randy, I had never met anyone like him before. He was so happy go lucky. He was going to school plus working a full time job to help his family.
I also was working 6 days a week as I had to buy all my own clothes and necessities, so we did not really see a lot of each other. But I loved when I was able to visit him and his family. He had a big family that welcomed me in as if I had always been a part of it.

I ended up moving out on my own and finishing high school with Randy's help. We were married exactly 2 weeks after I graduated, that was 33 years ago.

This man has given of himself so freely, he has taught me so much about being a family. If it were not for him I may never have given my father a second chance. I learned that you may not like what your family is or does but they are family, you still love them, and are there for them no matter what.

Randy has given me the greatest gift of all, the gift of unconditional love.

I did learn a lot from my grandfather and I have received many gifts from him. My grandpa owned a family restaurant and loved what he did. He taught me that it did not matter what you did in life only that you did your best. I owe my work ethic to him.

When I was in my twenties I would see employees and other people take advantage of grandpa, at least that is what I thought. I would get upset and grandpa would just laugh it off. After a waitress had stolen money I wanted to fire her, grandpa just said, "She must need it more than I do". Can you believe that? I thought about that one for a long while.

I would see him give away meals all of the time to what I thought were bums at the time. Again he would just laugh at me and said he would be repaid one day.

It took me a while but I finally figured out how great a man my Grandpa was. Grandpa gave the gift of kindness all wrapped in a bow.

Because of my husband, I was able to receive so many more gifts from my father. He convinced me to give my Dad a chance. He and my Dad became best buddies, they had a great relationship and because of that, so did I.

My Dad did what he loved for a living, he was an artist. He was always being told to get a real job, he would never make any money drawing and painting. I am so glad that he followed his dream, I love his work.

He taught me to love the simple things in life and to take time to do so. I was pretty serious as a young wife and mother, trying to do everything right. My Dad would constantly remind me to just Be Happy.
He truly enjoyed life and we loved to spend time with him, it was so much fun just to be with him. It did not matter what we did. He would take time and actually listen and have conversations with my kids. I loved watching them together.

He did not have a lot and never asked for anything but was happy anyway.

This wonderful man gave me the wonderful gift of actually living and enjoying my life. Be happy today, you may not get the chance tomorrow.

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Did I ever tell you that I have the most wonderful kids in the world?
Well, just in case I haven't, I do!

These 2 beauties came into my life and all it took was just one look to know, that I would do anything for them.

I thought I knew what love was but they came along and taught me that I really did not have a clue. I did not know how it was possible to love so much, but somehow my heart expanded and I did.

When you have children you think that you are supposed to teach them, I was never told that they would teach me so much more that I could ever teach them.

They have grown and have families of their own and still unknowingly share gifts with me everyday.

I guess the greatest gift that these two gave to me was the gift of giving.

Kids are wonderful, but grandkids are amazing.

I have this little granddaughter who showed up and totally threw me for a loop.
She is now 4 and I have been able to watch her grow daily. Oh the things she has taught me.

Kids are born knowing, I believe we unteach them just about everything.
They know how to love, they know how to be happy, they know how to have fun, they know when they are hungry, they know what they like, just take time and watch a little one sometime.

I watch my lil sweetpea run around dancing and singing without a care in the world. She does not care who is watching in fact she says "watch me, watch me".

My grandaughter has given me the gift of not being afraid to be ME.

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