Saturday, December 26, 2009

My Family

brings me gratitude.
I am so truly grateful for my family... Our busy lives don't bring us together very often but when we do get together, it is so special to me. Do they know how special they are to me? I hope so...
To me Christmas is not about presents. The real gift is spending time with my wonderful family.
My grandma is very special to me. She is so giving and the most self-less person I know... she'll give you the coat off her back without a second thought. She essentially saved my sisters and my life when we went to live with her. My love of food comes from my grandmother. Even though she worked 5 - 7 days a week well into her 70's she always had fresh food in the house and there was barely a day that we didn't have soup to start a meal and fruit to finish. We gave her a very hard time when we were rebelling as teenagers but hopefully she is proud of the women we have become based on the qualities of traits we learned from her, such as respect for people, young and old, and polite manners.
My sister, Sheila, is a free spirit. She is very loving, loveable and is always ready to have fun. She is my biggest cheerleader and thinks the world of me. She was my "partner in crime", so to speak, for many years and my original "we".
Alyssa is my super creative, truly gifted, super smart niece. She is very independent and does not follow the crowd. She has family in the States, Europe and northern Canada so she's done a lot of travelling. The world is her oyster.. and she is so, so special to me.
My Uncle Peter and Aunt Flo have been mine and my sister's parent figures for a long time and they continue to guide and nurture us. They welcome us into their home generously and whole heartedly and are the glue that keep our family together. Peter and Flo thank you for keeping your hearts and home wide open... Your love means more to me than I could ever express...
My cousin Lena loves my sister and I so much! She is like our big Inuk sister... we are so special to her and she shows it! She was so generous to us as children, she never came to see us empty-handed, which just shows her generous heart. She has a great big laugh, a huge heart and like Sheila, is always ready to have fun! I think I speak for the entire family when I say we are so happy that she has joined us in our family get togethers.
I've watched my cousins Pete and Natasha grow up and they are such blast to hang out with! They are very near and dear to my heart and I will look forward to many more years of friendship and get togethers with them.
I see Nick's sister's Sacha, Remy and Taylor as my little sisters. I want to take them under my wing and protect them but they have also grown before my eyes and are now great young women - very smart, friendly and fun! I am so happy that they have welcomed me into their family as generously as they have.
Nick's mom, Del, is a strong, resilient, very smart and creative person. She has raised wonderful children and holds the family together. She has welcomed me whole heartedly and I will be forever grateful for that.
Nick's little brother Devon is smart and funny! And when I ask him nicely he gives me a hug. Thanks Dev!
As a child I looked up to my cousin Sandra and as adults it's so nice to have her a part of my life.
Sandra's husband Glen is such a great guy! So likeable, funny and fun... just a really great person. Love ya' Glen!
I have happy childhood memories with my cousin Tommy! And his new wife Mary is lovely and smart! Good catch, Tommy! More get togethers are in order!
Nick, the love of my life, my life partner and best friend. Even though I tell you a million times a day that I love you and I'll tell you a billion more times, I'll still not have said it enough to express how much I truly do. You bring me so much joy and years ago I would never have imagined that I could be this happy. Now I know, and I imagine many more wonderful experiences in our life. We are so blessed and I am so grateful!
And to the latest addition to our family, Lola... I knew I was going love you but I didn't expect to fall so hard! Thank you for filling my heart with joy... Even though the idea of you was not a positive one for the family, I knew they would fall in love with you when they met you!
From a very grateful girl to my wonderful family... Thank you for being a part of my life. I hope this entry shows how much I appreciate your presence in my life!

Merry Christmas!

No comments:

Post a Comment