There are so many women in my life now and in the past that have brought me much love and strength. Those women include my mother, who gave me life and nurtured me, my Aunt Shirley who is my second mother who has given me love and support ~ also my wife who loves me and after much therapy and acceptance of one another's differences we share a bond that is stronger and stronger everyday. I have met such an array of women that I have learned many many lessons of life from. Yes even my exes have taught me things about myself and many of whom I have gained much knowledge in many different areas of my life some of which will be included perhaps in another blog. Afterall my wife reads this blog. ;>0 .
Let's begin with my Mother. She had me at a young age. I was one of those oops babies. However, she never once made me feel like an oops baby. I grew up knowing I was loved and cared for. As a child I remember washing dishes together and playing in the ocean together. Even though circumstances have changed between as an adult that doesn't mean that the love I have for her has changed.
Another strong woman in my life was my Grandmother Elsie. She was my mother's mother. There were times when I was young, that I was a bit fearful of her because she was such a strong presence in my life. Of course being that I was a bit of a tomboy, I was always into something and getting into trouble with her. As I grew up and became an adult I realized that she had such a huge weight on her shoulders. What with having a husband that was a binge drinker and raising 9 kids on her own, it was not surprising that she was a disciplinarian. Once she got older she mellowed out so much and became a wealth of life knowledge for me and my cousins. She died when I was 25 years old. What a loss.
My Aunt Shirley is an important woman in my life. She is my mother's younger sister. She is the Mother of my Heart. She always has been and always will be. She is so easy for me to talk to and to get advice from. Our talks are always so easy. I feel that I can tell her anything and she will totally listen to what I am saying and understand it and not judge me or stop loving me no matter what I do or say. When her husband my Uncle Chuck died she was such an inspiration to me. The way she came through it with courage and grace. Her strength and wisdom of life are what I admire about her. Her strength is my strength. She loves and accepts my wife Kathy as if she was her daughter just as I feel as though I am her daughter.
Another strong and soft spoken woman in my life is Kathy's mom Nancy or as I call her Mutti. Which means Mommy in German. When my Mother and I were going through a rough spot she said to me, I will be your stand in Mom if you want me to be. It brings tears to my eyes even now as I am typing this. She has always been a bright spot in my life. Even now that she has Alzheimer's disease. She has a smile, even without her teeth, that makes my heart shine. People say you can see someone's soul in their eyes. Well if that's true then Mutti has a true soul.
Two more women that are important to me in my life are Kathy's sisters Barb and Lee.
Barb is a great listener. She also tells it like it is but in a loving way. I feel that I can share anything with her and it is held in confidence. Her hug is filled with love. Now Lee is Kathy's sister in Up State NY. We had the opportunity to visit with her and her family on the way home from our honeymoon. She made me feel welcomed and a part of the family while we were there. She is accepting of Kathy and I and our marriage which makes her a gem in my book.
Kathy's daughter Ashley. We have had a long and challenging road that is for sure. Now I feel that we have an understanding of one another that is ever changing at least for me with her. She has a great love of African American History which I find fascinating and that I get a kick out of hearing her talk about. She has taught me many lessons about life. I have seen her grow from a young woman to an adult and it has been a joy for me to be a part of. The love that she and her mother have just amazes me and makes my heart sing. I thank her for allowing me to be in her life and to learn from her strength and creativeness that she has. It makes me wish that Kathy and I raised her together from a child. So that I could have shared more of her life growing up and that I could be her mom to share the love that they have.
Another woman that I just love and adore is Kathy's daughter in law or should I say other daughter Aury. I just can't tell you how much Aury means to me and my life. She has a genuine sweetness about her that I just admire. Her love is real and once you have it she will not let you go. She has the ability to see through to the real you. When Kathy and I were going through a rough time Aury said to Kathy Jill has a good heart and she is a loyal person. Well to me Aury is those things and more. I simply don't know what I would do if Aury was not in my life. She has brought so much love and kindness to me. Oh and her hugs are amazing! You can actually feel the love flow through.
This brings me to my BEST girl. My wife Kathy. When we first met I would tell her take off those rose colored glasses. Now I say aren't these rose colored glasses great! She has brought so much into my life. I remember when I was younger I would say to my higher power...please put someone in my life who will love me and accept me for who and what I am. Well after many many years that is what has happened to my delight. See miracles do happen to those that wait. Kathy and I have been on our journey now for almost 11 years and it just keeps getting better thanks to another important woman in both our lives Andrea our therapist.
Last but certainly not least are the many women that I work with. These women are hard working and fantastic! It is true what people say about nurses. They do have hearts of gold so do surgical techs. Thank you Ladies for making work bearable and fun.
There are so many women that have past through my life and that are in my life right now that I didn't mention by name but please know that you are important to me. Everyone of you has given me something or even now give me something to think about or to grow from and for that I thank you. Now all of you go out and thank the women in your lives for what they do.
These are my thoughts and feelings from Jillsville.
