From the Bottom of My Heart
This entry was posted on 11/16/2007 9:45 PM and is filed under Gratitude.
My in-laws are two of the most generous people I have ever met in my life. They have huge hearts. When my Dad was dying, they did not even hesitate to come. They drove to Detroit, they walked right into his room, a week before he died, and celebrated my birthday with us. They looked him in the eye, they talked with him, they loved him. And when he died, they were there again. For all of us. They held my son as I stood next to my brother and sister as we buried my Dad. They have moved countless pieces of furniture and things back and forth for us. When I was pregnant with Elizabeth, my in-laws came out to Colorado to paint our entire house. They were here in Colorado, two weeks ago, as I left to begin my PhD program. And they watched my kids for a week. We are going to visit for Thanksgiving and they ordered coffee for my husband, from our corner coffee merchant, so that Andy could drink a cup of his coffee. They think of my siblings and reach out to them. They show up for the people in their community when things are tough. They are beautiful, kind people.
My mother in law, who my daughter is named after, knows how to bake a good cookie. In fact, she knows how to bake, period. She is the quintessential grandmother, truly. She loves her grandchildren, a lot. She is adventurous and loves a good road trip. She was even up for a road trip to Alaska,
with all of us. And she leaves comments on my blog, like a good mother does. And my father in law, he gives the greatest hugs and for my birthday he gave me things that have pianos and notes on them. He didn't even know that I have recently started writing music again. He is incredibly handy and skilled. And he is very tender hearted and open to new things. I love hearing their stories, of how it was for them growing up. Even if it was painful. I am grateful I am hearing them. And they remind me to be who I am in this life. I love it when I see them smile.
My parents are not in the picture for me right now. Andy's parents are. I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart for being there for me and my family. There are not words. Maybe there are, I love you, Betty and Mick. And I thank you.
