Thankful for supportive family.

Another thing that is part of who I am, and what is part of making me who I am today is a supportive family.  My family has insisted that I reach for my goals and settle for nothing.  I have enjoyed the support of a very forward thinking grandmother who has always wanted me to be independent and to enjoy life before family and the ritual of the life cycle caught up with me.  I can honestly say that I achieved that on so many levels.

My family insisted on a college education, so I got three rounds. LOL....

My family taught me about my background, which has pushed me to become a person I know.  I know that my background has historical value, ethnic value (my heritage of the Irish, Scottish, English, and German Roots), language value and geographical value.  I have traveled to the lands of my "people" and have learned a lot about how may heritage has functioned in the world.  I also have discovered my fiancé's historical value, that he didn't know.  He has a bit of appreciation for his background now, and we are beginning to find the footprints of his forbearers.

My family encouraged me to study politics, languages, manners, history, art, and other things that have shaped my mind.  But they never knew how much they shaped who I am.  I am thrilled that my parents instilled in me values, manners, "carrier" (Carrie-air= disposition), and a sense of self.  I wouldn't be who I am without knowing that they expected more out of me than a traditional path of getting married, making babies. 

They also instilled in me to stay organized.  My grandmother could find everything, a place for everything and everything in its place.  My dad, similar, and my mom was a huge reader of organization books.  So, with that comes a very organized individual who can work her life the way she wants, and control the life she wants.

In the preparation for a wedding, my mother found out the night we told her, that I had already picked a venue, a cake design, a dress, a tux, cufflinks, booked engagement photos, and our wedding bands.  All she had to do was ask what the budget was.  I think she was relieved that I was so organized, as to be able to relieve her of having to keep that all together along with taking care of a sick family member and getting another family up and running again, along with building a therapy practice that has just blown her out of the water with referrals.

I am pleased that my parents have allowed me to become who I want without fear of being taken care of, without fear of loss of housing or food, and without manipulation of any situation in order to render the path they wanted.  I am thankful that they allowed me to "grown in the way a child should grow" and be able to raise up and thank them for such a wonderful gift, of myself.

I see so many other people who lack that definition and I wonder how they could live without out it, and I remember it has to come from their environment, and their support. 

So, thank you Mom and Dad.