Welcome to My Circle

I’d like to invite you to take a peek into my personal life, and also to share some of my thoughts and experiences with others. I am blessed to have some solid people around me that I hold near and dear to my heart, whom society labels as my family and friends. I’ve had several people come and go throughout my journey. I’ll share some about these relationships and experiences here.

My “world” seemed infinite and expansive as a child, as I was born into a fairly large family. There were tons of grandparents and great grandparents. Each of my parents had four siblings, so there were quite a few aunts, uncles, and cousins. We often had large family gatherings, and most of the family lived nearby so we saw them frequently. 

By the time I was in middle school only my two grandfathers remained. Quite a bit had transpired in everyone’s lives. Some of the family moved away, others just stuck to themselves. I am grateful to have had those large gatherings and familiarity with family at a young age. I realize some people never experience that. 

Upon graduating from high school I had my parents, younger brother, one grandfather, and six aunts and uncles left. My father passed away when I was in my early twenties. Today, there are only four aunts and uncles living. They all live in different states now, from one side of the country to the other. Family gatherings are incredibly rare. I haven’t seen or spoke to most of my father’s family in several years. I learned quite a bit about death and how that loss can tear through families very young, and several times over. Not to mention divorce, disagreements, and drama that has got in the way.

This has taught me to accept that all of our journeys on this earth are quite short, even if we live a full century. It has also taught me to appreciate the time I get with those who I love and cherish, and not to waste my precious time in this journey on those who don’t respect me or bring me joy. I can wish them well from afar.

Through life’s miraculous and magical ways, I have had the honor and pleasure of being chosen to be a mom. My boys are in their early twenties and I’ve gained a daughter through love. (I’m sure you’ll hear plenty about them in the future.) In addition, I have a rambunctious nephew and several “nephews and nieces” by love. I am eternally grateful for the love, the laughs, the wonder, the lessons, and everything else that has come with these children (some who are now young adults) being present in my life. I do believe it takes a village to raise a child, and I absolutely love being a part of that village for many.

I’ve been incredibly blessed to have a couple of friends from high school who are still very much important to me, and high school was many moons ago for us. Though we aren’t as close anymore, when we get together you wouldn’t know it. We catch up and laugh and it seems as though time hasn’t flown by. 

As an adult, I’ve made connections that make my heart smile. I believe the people we have around us should add to our experience. To my special friends, thank you for loving me and accepting me without judgement, even at times when I wasn’t able to do that for myself.

To anyone who used to be in my “inner circle” but isn’t any longer, I’d like to say thank you. For whatever lessons our relationship taught me, and for the experiences and memories. I’d also like to apologize if I was in any way toxic to you. It certainly wasn’t my intent, though I’m still learning intentions don’t mean much.

What has time and life taught you about relationships?