I had the pleasure of spending some time with two of my younger brothers on Friday night. My two youngest brothers Nathan and Matthew came over which is always a welcome surprise. I love hanging out with my siblings and I enjoy my youngest brothers very much! I am so lucky that two teenage guys, 18 and 17 respectively, actually want to hang out with their 31 year old sister!
On this particular evening Nathan and I planned to go and see the new X-Men Origins film and my brother Matthew volunteered to watch my kids. I couldn't say no to that! We had a great time and after it was all said and done I drove the boys to my parents home roughly an hour away.
Since it was a Friday night my parents were both up even though it was getting a bit late, and my dad shared some unwelcome news with me. My sister had been run over by a car and was in the hospital recuperating from 3 fractured ribs and a punctured lung. I was shocked, and then I started to cry. I work in health care so I know just how close a call it was. I was so relieved that her injuries weren't worse, or even fatal. In the moments after I heard the news my mind was running a mile a minute. I realized that I hadn't talked to my sister in a year and hadn't seen her in two. I hadn't written or even sent a Christmas card. It wasn't that I hadn't mean to do those things, they just didn't ever happen. I love my sister, but we haven't always been close. In fact, when we were girls we fought quite a bit. We were very different and usually didn't see eye to eye. I haven't always agreed with her, but Carrie is my only sister and the realization that I could have lost her forever was frightening and overwhelming for me. In that moment I made a resolution to be more diligent in keeping up contact with family members that I don't see on a regular basis. I don't want to regret what I should have done. I am not perfect, but I know I need to at least improve if not perfect my communication with family. I am so grateful that Carrie is on the mend, and I am so thankful that she was spared. I am also thankful for a well needed wake-up call so that I can change my ways before it is too late!!
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Monday, June 1, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
Family.. it's a good thing!
I am just typing away this morning enjoying the sunshine and the fact that neither my children or I have school today! I am not saying that I dislike my classes or my teachers, but sometimes you get a break and it is just fun!!! I am really loving this weather!! I took a long hike with my favorite guy yesterday at the Nature Center, then we took my daughter and two of my brothers to the park to explore the caves and take a trek around the park. We finished our visit off with some frisbee which brought a whole lot of laughs! It was so great!! I had a wonderful time. As I sat on the big rock cliff over the caves and just enjoyed the breeze and the sun, I was so excited that Spring is finally here!! I love nice weather and hanging with family!
I am the oldest of 6 children, two girls four boys. I have spent pretty much my whole life sharing a bedroom with someone. Depending on the weather and the night sounds, sometimes I even shared my bed with whatever little boy had a nightmare and was too scared to sleep alone. Being a big sister wasn't always cake though. I had kids in my room constantly, in my make up and messing up my private stuff. I got the opportunity to babysit alot whether I liked it or not, and my mom was always needed help with the littlest ones. The upside was that I was never alone so there was always someone to hang out with. Games were more fun because we always had enough people to play, and holidays were a blast with so many laughing, happy people to celebrate with! As we have grown older and busier it has become harder and harder to keep the family close. I don't see my family nearly as much as I would like to. My sister lives in Florida and I haven't been able to see her for 2 years. The oldest of my brothers is married and is busy with his family, and my 3 youngest brothers are working and studying and busy doing young, single "guy stuff". We usually get together for holidays and everyone's birthday and things like that. But sometimes, like families do.. you pull together for even the littlest things and prove what family is all about.
I took a trip recently and experienced some travelers angst on the trip home. What was supposed to be a whirlwind weekend trip to Vegas became a flying fiascoe! We were on a company trip and were enjoying the sights and nightlife of Las Vegas, we had to leave out early in the day on Sunday to make our flight. I wish that we had known what would happen that evening, I would have just spent one more day in Sin City! We made it all the way to St. Louis.. a mere 3 hrs and change from home. Our flight got pushed back and then cancelled.. we had to stay overnight and catch a flight out the next day because the company didnt want us to rent a car and drive while tired. We were on company time, so we booked a room at the Marriott and tried to get some sleep. the next day we flew from St. Louis to Dallas, so that we could fly from Dallas to Springfield. I know.. seems nutty. So, when we FINALLY got home I expected to find a dirty house, piles of dishes, and stir crazy kids. But like I said, family is awesome! My brothers had been watching the kids while we were gone, and they did laundry, washed dishes and cooked for the kids all weekend. I came home from my trip to a clean house and my brother Micah even brought dinner so we wouldn't have to cook!!!! Fantastic!!! Can't get better than that!! I have the best family ever!
I am the oldest of 6 children, two girls four boys. I have spent pretty much my whole life sharing a bedroom with someone. Depending on the weather and the night sounds, sometimes I even shared my bed with whatever little boy had a nightmare and was too scared to sleep alone. Being a big sister wasn't always cake though. I had kids in my room constantly, in my make up and messing up my private stuff. I got the opportunity to babysit alot whether I liked it or not, and my mom was always needed help with the littlest ones. The upside was that I was never alone so there was always someone to hang out with. Games were more fun because we always had enough people to play, and holidays were a blast with so many laughing, happy people to celebrate with! As we have grown older and busier it has become harder and harder to keep the family close. I don't see my family nearly as much as I would like to. My sister lives in Florida and I haven't been able to see her for 2 years. The oldest of my brothers is married and is busy with his family, and my 3 youngest brothers are working and studying and busy doing young, single "guy stuff". We usually get together for holidays and everyone's birthday and things like that. But sometimes, like families do.. you pull together for even the littlest things and prove what family is all about.
I took a trip recently and experienced some travelers angst on the trip home. What was supposed to be a whirlwind weekend trip to Vegas became a flying fiascoe! We were on a company trip and were enjoying the sights and nightlife of Las Vegas, we had to leave out early in the day on Sunday to make our flight. I wish that we had known what would happen that evening, I would have just spent one more day in Sin City! We made it all the way to St. Louis.. a mere 3 hrs and change from home. Our flight got pushed back and then cancelled.. we had to stay overnight and catch a flight out the next day because the company didnt want us to rent a car and drive while tired. We were on company time, so we booked a room at the Marriott and tried to get some sleep. the next day we flew from St. Louis to Dallas, so that we could fly from Dallas to Springfield. I know.. seems nutty. So, when we FINALLY got home I expected to find a dirty house, piles of dishes, and stir crazy kids. But like I said, family is awesome! My brothers had been watching the kids while we were gone, and they did laundry, washed dishes and cooked for the kids all weekend. I came home from my trip to a clean house and my brother Micah even brought dinner so we wouldn't have to cook!!!! Fantastic!!! Can't get better than that!! I have the best family ever!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)