......And I'd Like To Thank.....

 As promised, I want to express my gratitude to the male members of my “family” (related by blood or otherwise), I doubt many of them read this blog though!  In any case, as far as my brothers, well, it’s kind of complicated.  If you take the TV show Modern Family, throw in a couple of step brothers, then you’ve sort of an idea!  Anyway, I am blessed to have grown up with one of them and he and I are forever bound together by ties woven out of both heaven and hell that only he and I will ever understand.  I am so grateful to know that we are the only two people on this earth who will ever comprehend from whence our wicked, wicked humor comes, for it was only the two of us that were able to pull each other out of some sticky, bitterness by making each other laugh at the most un-humorous times. 

I am so grateful for a Dad who has never given up on me and who has forgiven as well as been forgiven much.  I am thankful for a Step-Dad who has loved my mother well.  I have the most funny, smart and understanding Uncles EVER!!  They are so keen to give advice, even when I don’t’ want it!  Haha!!!

I’m also surrounded by those “Uncles”, “Cousins”, “Nephews”, “Brothers” and “Sons” of whose blood I don’t share but who ears, hearts and wisdom are my life blood anyway.  I thank them, and they know who they are.

 I have two cousins who were born when I was a pre-teen and so had to put up with all my “mothering” (more like smothering), but who are grown men now.  I’m so proud of them.  I am grateful to them for letting me practice my “skills” on them and for relinquishing (however willingly) their positions to my two sons. 

Did I mention I have the best teens ever known to man-kind?!  If I ever did anything right in this world, it is them.  Words cannot even express……I’ll just say that they are all the proof I need that God exists. 

I just realized that this is sounding so much like an Academy Awards speech, and if I ever win one, you’ll be hearing this all over again, but I would like to end this attitude of gratitude week with my spouse as any winning actor would.  I am so grateful I found someone who accepts me for the way that I am to share this life with.  I am thankful for the legacy of our sons.  I am thankful for the honorable man that I married.

Just like I suggested we contact and thank the women in our lives, I am suggesting we do the same for the men.  I have sent texts out this week, and the response I got back was amazing.  It made me realize that I don't do this enough.  So please share your experiences about the people you’re grateful for, and the responses you got from telling them so.  We all can benefit from an attitude of gratitude.  Have a great weekend, all.

-Tessa L. Charles