Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Brotherly Love

It is a we'll known fact that I am the oldest and therefore wisest child in our family(LOL). So what could my little brothers possibly teach their sister who's going to Djibouti.
At age 42 I needed to learn to drive stick shift for my job in Djibouti. My brother Michael took on this task. It was the most fun I'd had in a long time. It's fun to be with your brothers. You don't have to wear make up or a disguise. You can just be you. I learned very quick. Years ago my Dad tried to teach me with no success. In the middle of teaching me he said "This is just like having sex" which I replied" I don't know what kind of sex you've been having but it doesn't remind me of it. That was the end of the lessons.
  Mitch Albom says " ALL PARENTS DAMAGE their children . It cannot be helped. Youth, like pristine glass absorbs the prints of its handlers. Some parents smudge,others crack, a few shatter childhoods completely into jagged little pieces, beyond repair." Your siblings can be there to put the pieces back together with you or they can continue to shatter the glass. I choose to help put the pieces back. I am Jonathan and Michael's sister period. There is no halfs. Just as LeeAnn and Ryan are my children not my step children. Not taking away from their Mom just adding more love to their lives. My love doesn't run out or need rationed it's overflowing. My brother Jonathan taught me although life can be tough there are more happy times ahead if you persevere.        

Socorro's necklace and Amy's jewels

  I am moving to Djibouti for one year and they say to limit your jewelry for safety precautions. I thought this would be easy. Most of you know I am not a big jewelry girl. However my chica gave me a necklace that I am never without. I feel if I take it off a piece of me will be gone. I forced myself to say Socorro is in my heart not in the necklace.:) It is still tough.
  Also my 3 rings. I wear one from my Dad, one from Britny's Dad and one from Austin. A girl is very lucky to have had 3 men in her life who have loved her deeply and that's what I am reminded of when I wear these rings. Again I tell myself the love is inside me not in the rings.
  So the jewels I will be taking are a bracelet Alissa made me in kindergarten and one Britny gave me. These are my true jewels.
    Love,
        Amy