I always knew I had a lot of family members. There are still too many people at holiday get-togethers to sit at the same table, much less in the same room. The first time I stocked up on birthday cards to send to my aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, grandparents of my cousins, etc. I just about maxed out the credit card and left Hallmark with like 80 million rewards points (which at Hallmark, are not good for much of anything).
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| Jim and Dad with the bride, me :) 2008 |
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| Gehring Cousins |
I didn't always know, however, that I had a lot of
quality family members. I first realized this when my mom died and our extended family gathered around my dad, brother and I like the Colts offense when Peyton calls a rare huddle. We were held and fed and reminded that even though we were wounded, we still had people we could count on to fill every role that my mom had filled and every hole that had been torn open. I cried myself to sleep missing my mom but made it through reminding myself that I still had family (and friends) and that really, I could consider myself very lucky.
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| Me and my sister-in-law, Rachel |
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| At Hofbrauhaus pre-wedding 2008 |
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| With Blake's cousins and Aunt |
Marrying Blake meant that not only did I get to look forward to the rest of my life with my best friend, but that I could also add a whole new group of people to my family. I gained a set of in-law parents who, while they are nothing like my parents, are perfect in-law parents for me. I'm so grateful to them for raising Blake to be the perfect person for me. I also gained a brother-in-law and sister-in-law who inspire me and make me proud. I look forward to growing closer to all of my in-laws in coming years and know that their love and support will be invaluable as we add one more to the kids table. I just know that our parents and siblings are going to be the best grandparents and aunt and uncles to our kids - we and Sprout are so lucky.
I don't tell my family enough (or ever) how much I love them or how blessed I feel to have quality and quantity. This year, though, birthday cards for everyone.
Hallmark here I come,
Kate
Kate,
ReplyDeleteI'm just reading this and have been thinking about you lately and your journey to motherhood and new family. Your mom was a wonderful woman, and she continues that tradition by leading your life to be surrounded by such amazing people. I'm getting so excited for you and the impending sprout arrival! You're great, your family's great...sounds like Sprout's gonna be ok too :)