I really do believe that children are better off when they are surrounded by family. Functional (lol, relatively), uplifting and caring family.
I am fortunate to have a very large family; both biological and non-biological. My immediate family is just my younger brother, our parents and I, but when I was a kid I was very close with my cousins and felt that they were like brothers and sisters. My brother wasn't born until I was 12, so I had a few years to wait!
Now that I'm a functioning adult (relatively) my family has gotten even bigger, from work friends, college friends and church friends, to my youth group teens growing up and becoming peers I've learned that my son is a better person for having known each and every one of them.
I'll give you some examples:
Max D. - He is compassionate, sensitive and great at sports. Max may be a man of few words but they are usually powerful. Either powerfully funny or powerfully mid blowing. Max will challenge you. Max is that friend everyone wants to have.
Angela W, - She has a warehouse full of energy somewhere, and she can play her thumbs like a flute, Angie will fight for you and with you until you just can't go on, but she'll pick you up and carry you the rest of the way, because she's gonna WIN!!
Nate A. - Probably the most talented musician I know, he's incredible. Nate has taught me to grieve. And that although I know grieving is something we need to do, we absolutely shouldn't feel ashamed when we can't handle it anymore. Funny part is that he never knew how much he was teaching me.
Tyler T. - He could teach classes on thoughtfulness and how to be a friend. Tyler and I are a lot alike! We are both the friend that is "the" friend that thinks of everything. Tyler has taught me that's it's ok to say no. Even though we both get the word stuck in our throats, there are actually other people on the planet, and we don't have to do it all ourselves...I know...I was surprised too.
Janie A. - She is the kindest person I know and gives and gives and gives. Our adventures and trips should be recorded because we have the best time together. Truly, I never have as good a time with anyone as I do with my mom. She's my hero.
Emily S. - My bookworm, has died a thousand deaths and vividly feels them all. She has traveled to a million places and spent WAY too much times getting through customs! She's a beautiful dancer with a servant's heart and witty snark!
Bizzie A. - Saying that she's a talented dancer is like making Picasso paint houses. She's astounding, Bizzie has taught me to really LOVE loving something. Especially something your good at. When she dances her eyes will light up a room. THAT is her spot...Sheldon.
Matt O. - He gives new meaning to the term tough. He makes me proud to know him. He is one that is carving his path in life. Sometimes, when I was at this age, while I was carving my path I felt like sometimes I had a bulldozer and other days I was using a spoon. Matty reminds me that we need to trust that God knows what he's doing.
Colin K. - Genuinely doesn't realize the impact that his positivity has on people and how whenever anyone is around him, we are all that much richer.
Corey K. - One of the funniest people I know, that doesn't have to try for jokes, he has excellent comedic timing.
Colton L. - Seems shy at first (don't they all) but when he comes out of his shell, look out! I would like for him to teach classes about the relaxing nature of silence.
Dana T. - She IS Pinterest. Her home and her family are cared for with such tenderness and love that it's inspiring.
Tiger G. - Resilience. Getting back up when you've messed up, or when you've gotten in your own way and telling God that you're willing to let him lead this time.
Pam K.- Working towards a goal or a project. Pam will not stop until it's done! I love that about her! She won't be the boss that is having a break while their staff is working tirelessly! Pam is there with you!
Travis A. - Genuine. What you see is what you get with Travis. He won't lie to you, but you'd better not lie to him either! He maintains a pretty tough guy exterior, but is really marshmallow fluff inside.
Amy M. - We haven't "seen" each other since high school, but we chat all the time and I know that she is astonishing! I am in awe of her everyday, She helps remind me that the Lord won't give you more than you can handle, even if you think your hands are full,
Andrea E. - She reminds me that beauty is everywhere, We just have to look for it. She inspires me.
Michelle S. - Michelle has taught me and continually shows me that family is the most important thing (after Jesus) and to never be afraid to be exactly who you are. You are fabulous, why on EARTH would you want to be less than fabulous?!
Norma B.- Norma taught me that kindness is never wasted. Ever. Give of yourself and let the Lord work out the rest. It doesn't matter to us what someone does with our kindness, we gave a kindness in God's name and to God's name be the glory.
Abby H. - Adaptability. Abby has taught me that what some people might think is weird, is all about perception.
Rigby W.- Rigby taught me that love is a powerful thing. When you give a gift with love and faith that it absolutely doesn't matter what the gift is, how it's wrapped or if there's a bow. Pure, childhood abandon in gift-giving is tear jerking and heart-filling.
Ray A. - He has taught me that simple things can make a huge difference in someone's life. Taking your time to make a little girl feel like she's not a burden and that she's worth loving have had repercussions he can't possibly understand.
Ellie H. - Grit. She's never been one to follow the crowd. She is Robert Frost. Ellie is taking the road less traveled and I'm pretty sure it's gonna make a difference...blaze your trail Ellie.
Paul T.B. - Taught me how to properly eat Oreo's. Sat with me to watch A Charlie Brown's Christmas for the first time, then explained why what Linus had to say was so important and why it was so much more than a silly dancing dog and droopy tree. "He dropped his blanket, because he was secure in the Lord".
Paul C.B. - That horrors you've been through don't have to stay there and occupy space. Let Jesus heal that pain of battle and let Him comfort you.
Austin W. - That my heart can break into many more pieces than I thought was possible. Austin has taught me about forgiveness and what it means to "want to want to" when you're just not there yet but trusting God is gonna get you there.
Jay M.- He has taught me that even when you're going through a hard time, keep praying, keep smiling, and don't forget to call your Mama; and when it comes to plagiarism - we just don't do it
Trace F. - How to describe what Trace has taught me. He has taught me how to really,,,,be. Trace is compassionate, considerate and humble. He is funny, weird and tells inappropriate jokes. We are very different and perfect for each other. He taught me how it feels to really love someone and to be loved in return. If our son is half the man that his father is, he is already set.
This is just a VERY small sampling of my "family" but as you can see, they have all impacted me mightily. I honestly don't know if I have to vocabulary to express how much I love them and how much I appreciate them.
I would encourage you to look around your own "family" and take a closer look at your flock of ducks! What have they taught you? What have you learned from them?
More importantly, look back at yourself and ask what they are learning from you.
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