Day 7 - Biggest Impact

These three fellas have definitely, hands-down, had the most impact on my life. They are my life, or at least the very heart of it.

Me, the hubby, and our two boys.

First, there's my hubby, Ken. We've been together for twenty-two years. We started dating when I was a sophomore in high school; he was a senior at a neighboring school district. Six years later we were married.

There are so many ways that Ken has impacted my life. He's one of the reasons my Mom and I have the relationship we do today - he told me to give her another chance when I felt my heart couldn't handle any more disappointment. His love and support have enabled me to pursue my education and my dreams of becoming a writer. Even when things get tough and I want to quit, he encourages me to keep going and never give up on the things I think are important.

He's also a damn fine cook and a fantastic father.

That brings me to my boys. Talk about an impact! I'm certain no amount of words can express the many different ways these two have changed my (our) lives. Let's just say that I completely, 100% understand the Mama Bear and Cubs metaphor. The desire to protect them from all harm - physical and emotional - can be all-consuming. Letting them navigate the aches and pains of growing up, of being disappointed and hurt, is one of the most difficult things I've ever had to do. And I'm not sure I do a very good job of it. Stepping back enough to let them learn how to handle certain situations is not always easy. Watching them grow and change is a marvel.

Of course, they impact my life in numerous other ways as well. They leave their dirty laundry and dishes scattered throughout the house. They bicker until I think my head will explode. Their busy sports schedules eat away at the limited hours in our days. On the flip side of that, though, is the realization that I love watching them do the things they love, even if that means I suddenly know more about football, baseball, and basketball than I ever would have expected. I hang up their art projects. I help them with their homework. I make sure they take baths and brush their teeth. I worry about the choices they make and the consequences of their decisions.

Being part of this family has had a huge impact on my life. It can be stressful and infuriating at times, but it also by far the most rewarding and fulfilling thing I've got going for me.

Comments

They saved the finger..

This was supposed to be an easy, carefree weekend. One of those rare weekends where spontaneity is possible because plans were not made ahead of time. We could lounge on the couch, work on our hobbies, or even do a little shopping. And, no, I'm not referring to the necessary evil of grocery shopping, but the much more enjoyable version where you get to buy things that actually make you happy. Because the oldest boy needed some pants and the youngest could use a new pair of shoes, I decided to head into the city to do some shopping at Kohl's. Of course, my decision to shop there was not quite so altruistic. Mama needed a new bathing suit! So, I pack the kids up and head into the city. The youngest picks out his shoes . The oldest tries on a few pairs of jeans and ends up with two in the basket. Did I mention we have to shop in the men's department now? That he's wearing size 29? My baby is growing up! Then it was Mom's turn. I was looking ove

Camping with Little Boys

Our first travel trailer. I don't remember camping much with my family as a kid. This is likely because we always had the same vacation destination: a family plot in Baldwin, MI. There was no cabin there. Instead, there were two structures: a small, silver camper and an old single-wide trailer. The silver camper is gone but the single-wide still sits there and is used by extended family members to this day. It wasn't until I was a teenager that my step-mom and dad bought a pop-up trailer and we started camping elsewhere in the state. My memory isn't the greatest, but I'm almost certain they got the pop-up after I started dating Ken. Eventually, my parents upgraded to a fifth wheel that my dad still pulls around to various nearby camping spots. Ken, by contrast, didn't have a set vacation destination growing up. His family camped. They started out with a truck-bed camper, I believe, and eventually upgraded to a fifth wheel. Ken and I vacationed both in Baldwin an

It Should Be Our 28th Wedding Anniversary

I had to do the math twice. Probably because I'm really bad at math. Today should have been our 28th wedding anniversary. We only made it to 26, which is so impressive when you consider how many marriages end in divorce. So, because I have no doubt in my mind we would have been married still today had cancer not taken him, I want to honor our special day. So, here's a Happy Should Have Been Anniversary to my hubby in heaven. Today, as I recognize what should have been and think about what was, I figured I'd share not only some lovely pictures from our wedding day but I'd explain how this widow plans to move through October 15, 2022. In just a little bit, I'm joining another Millington widow at a Widow's Luncheon, which is being hosted by the Amish Church in Millington. I'm a bit nervous, to be honest, because I don't know what to expect. On my best days, I consider mys

Castle in the Clouds

Search This Blog