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May 11, 2006

Love Letter To My Family

My family is special.

Oh, I know, yours is, too. But mine is just... super special. They're a little more special than average. Hey, don't shoot the messenger. I'm just telling it like it is.

We're a close knit family. My dad's side is a little smaller weave, there are fewer of us. My mom's side is nearly bursting at the seams. Lotsa babies on that side. Both sides have lotsa crazies. Lotsa fun. Lotsa love. (Okay, no more "lotsa". I apologize.)

There are some things we wait too long to say- how much we love someone, how much we appreciate them. We wait for a birthday or Mother's Day-- when what needs saying needs saying now. So. If we're related, I'm about to talk about you. Fair warning, this could be a long post.

I'll start with my very first friend. Ashley. I was 3 1/2 when this big eyed baby came into my world- and I adored her. She was my doll. Then she got bigger, started getting into my stuff, borrowing my clothes, tattling on me. Typical little sister trouble. Through the years, my big mouth and bossy nature has caused problems more than once. It's funny- in those moments, when my experience and age should have made me wiser and kinder-- Ashley was the one who took the high road. She sought peace between us, even if it meant extending patience when I didn't deserve it. But, while she is gentle and empathetic, she is not a placid creature. She has loyalties that run deep and burn bright. She is quick to stand up for the people she loves, for ideals that matter to her. She is passionate and unafraid. She surprises me- I never know quite what she'll do or say. She is thoughtful and generous and sentimental, sarcastic and corny and dry, affectionate and fun and joyful. She is a beauty in my life.

Trey would be next in chronological order-- coming into my world when I was six years old. This one is a little tougher, given present circumstances that most of you know. As hard as the last few years have been because of his drug abuse, there are things about him that I love, and cherish. Beneath the layers of deceit and manipulation, there really is a good heart, I believe it. It's not a denial of the facts- his behavior and attitudes in the last years are inexcusable and undeniable. But before all that, he was just my kid brother. Tagging along, stirring up trouble naturally, but really just happy to be included. In recent years, we have occasionally seen the true him, a teaser- as all good brothers are. Gentle- with my children, with old people, with others hurting worse than him. Hard working- throwing himself into a task whole heartedly. There are seeds of very good things within him, if he will allow them to grow. They are seeds of hope. But it takes time to grow in the ground he's sown- so we continue to pray and hope for him.

Brittany- last in the line, but don't let that fool ya. She's the chili pepper of the bunch. She is a constant joy to me- I love to love that little sister of mine. She's funny, way too funny for such a dainty girl. She has a direct line to my funny bone- I get her and she gets me. She is creative and imaginative-- she can't help but cover her walls in leapord print or red circles or flowers. She is vibrant, in every sense of the word. She brings energy into a room like a tidal wave. You always know where Britt stands, how she feels about something. It's one of my favorite things about her. I was ten years old when Brittany was born, and I took my role pretty seriously. I remember toting her around on my hip like a little mama. Maybe now she doesn't need my maternal instincts so much-- but I will always feel protective and proud of her. She's almost twenty one, almost, ALMOST a big girl now. I love watching her become the woman she's destined to be. It's exciting, nail-biting, page-turning, fun.

Those are my siblings.

In the next post, I'll tell you about my cousins, who have been like brothers and sisters to me, too.

Hey, this is really refreshing! Feels good to talk about the love in my life.

Kith and Kin | By WonderGirl | 10:21 AM

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Posted by: britt at May 12, 2006 10:10 AM

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