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Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Pour Your Heart Out: Cheers to My "Family"

If you need more info about Pour Your Heart Out, see THIS post.

But, really, it's anything that YOU consider pouring your heart out.

Please grab the button for your post and link up! Any linked posts without the button or at least a text link WILL BE DELETED. Not to get all mean and harsh, but some people are abusing the linky, so I've had to go to this rule.

Be sure to check out some of the links- you will find some amazing stories out there.

Again, just a brief reminder that everyone linking is pouring their hearts out and we should all be respectful in our comments. ;)



 
 
 

Not all of those we consider family are related to us by blood.


Some we are lucky enough to inherit through marriage.


And some people become so important in our lives that it is like they are family.


My NC Mom is that to me.


I first met her over 11 years ago, during my first year of teaching. I was the Language Arts/Social Studies part of our team and she was the Math/Science part.


Never once did she complain about being saddled with a first-year teacher as her partner. She helped me through those first days of school,  helped with planning, and stayed after school for hours with me, talking not just about school, but about everything.


I got to know her, to know how strong of a person she is, going through all the challenges in her life. These are not mine to share, but there has been a lot, and she came through it all.


When my place was flooded by a hurricane, she let me stay with her for the month or so that it took for my place to be livable again.


She understood when I fell in love, got engaged, and moved away to NY. Nothing but support.


She was there when that relationship fell apart. Listening and being encouraging.


When I knew I had to leave that relationship, but wasn't sure where I was going to go or what I was going to do, she told me to come move back in with her and her son. Not to even worry if I didn't have a job yet, that I would be able to get one once I was back.


And I did find a teaching job back in the school she worked at, though I didn't know that until after the decision had already been made to move there.


She listened to me and was supportive as I worked through all my emotions about that relationship ending. And then when I tried to start my life over.


Her son became like my brother. And that is what we told people we were, since I would pick him up from soccer practice or drop him off at friends' houses. Just the easiest way to explain why a 24 year-old was hanging around a 14 year-old.


I lived with them for almost two years. Never once did NC Mom expect a dime from me.


I moved out when I got married. NC Mom lit the taper candles for both me and Hubs for our unity candles at our wedding.  She had known Hubs since he was in middle school.


In everything that has happened since I met her, she has offered nothing but encouragement and understanding.


My boys call her Grammy.


She moved to NY two years ago, but she is in town visiting this week and I'm very much looking forward to spending time with her.  At a time when things are hectic for my family, being around her quiet, calm strength will be a tremendous comfort.


I'm thankful to have "family" like her.



Labels:

73 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sometimes the best family is those that we choose for ourselves.
You are very lucky.

August 18, 2010 at 12:06 AM  
Blogger Leiah said...

One of my favorite quotes: "The most important thing in life is your family. There are days you love them, and others you don't. But, in the end, they're the people you always come home to. Sometimes it's the family you're born into and sometimes it's the one you make for yourself. " Carrie Bradshaw

She knew what's important in life - family. And shoes.

August 18, 2010 at 12:09 AM  
Blogger Your mom said...

Sometimes I love to read your stuff and find how similar we are--like I was a Language Arts/SS teacher too and my "sister" was my mentor teacher ... over 10 years later and we're still thick as thieves. I'm going to call her for no good reason.

August 18, 2010 at 12:12 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This is very sweet. We are lucky when we have someone like this in our lives. It is rare. I'm so glad you had her when you were new to NC and that you have her now. Have so much fun on your visit with her. xoxo

August 18, 2010 at 12:24 AM  
Blogger Amanda said...

You are very blessed to have such a wonderful woman that you can call a mother in your life.

Sometimes it is true that the best family is the family God put on this earth for us to pick.

August 18, 2010 at 12:31 AM  
Blogger shortmama said...

She sounds like an amazing influence to have in your life!

August 18, 2010 at 12:36 AM  
Blogger Daisygirl said...

she sounds like an amazing person! I can tell just how much you care for her through your writing!

Happy Wednesday Shell!

August 18, 2010 at 12:47 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I agree - God sends people into our lives who become family - spiritual mothers, sisters - and they are to us sometimes what our true family cannot be. Thank goodness they realized their hearts were big enough to love as much as they wanted!

August 18, 2010 at 12:48 AM  
Blogger Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional said...

You are so blessed to have her!

August 18, 2010 at 1:09 AM  
Blogger Mrs. J said...

I couldn't agree more, sometimes those who are not related to us by blood are more our family than those who are!

I am so blessed to have a "BFF" she is "my person" and we tease the reason we aren't sister's by blood is that our mom's couldn't have handled it! :-) We talk daily and if for some reason we can't, we email, and when we do catch up, we are on the phone for sometimes 2hours or more at a time, we have perfected the art of talking while doing what we need to do! If we go without talking to each other, our husbands notice and ask us to please call each other:) She is more my sister than my own...she knows me better than I know my self and I am blessed beyond words that I was lucky enough to be given such a freind!

So...I linked up my post from last week, I think I did it right. I was going to write something else, but that is what is still on my mind! Thanks for your help last week!

Enjoy your time with "Grammy"! May it be blessed and re-energize you!

mskerryj~

August 18, 2010 at 1:24 AM  
Blogger Tracie Nall said...

What a special mom you have chosen. Precious and wonderful.

Have a wonderful visit with her! =)

August 18, 2010 at 1:27 AM  
Blogger Laurel said...

I loved hearing about your NC Mom. I think the most important family we have is our family by choice; they make the decision, out of love, to stay with us every single day for no reason other than that bond, if that makes sense.

Enjoy your week with her. :) I hope you two have a wonderful time!

August 18, 2010 at 1:40 AM  
Blogger AiringMyLaundry said...

So incredibly sweet to read.

Have a fantastic visit with her.

August 18, 2010 at 1:44 AM  
Blogger Tammy said...

She sounds wonderful. I think we all need "moms" like that. I had a "mom" like that who I worked with for a few years. She is in heaven now but she would do anything and everything for me, like her own daughter who was a little younger than me. Thanks for making me smile as I think of her and all the memories I have of her! xoxo

August 18, 2010 at 2:00 AM  
Blogger Jayme said...

She sounds like such an amazing woman, Shell! You're lucky :)

August 18, 2010 at 2:07 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Aw, you are so lucky to have her. Hope you have a fantastic visit!

August 18, 2010 at 3:06 AM  
Blogger Katina said...

How wonderful to have a woman like that in your life! Enjoy your time with her this week. I used to have 2 older ladies that worked with me whom I used to call the "CHurch ladies". They were both so positive while being cashiers. How could they do it? I remember being young and complaining about working on weekends and that whenever I was off, it rained. Ms. Cle (one of the ladies), simply said, it won't always be this way. I couldn't see it at the time but she was right. I don't even work weekends at all now.

August 18, 2010 at 6:04 AM  
Blogger Di said...

Those kind of people are such a great addition to blood family. They often offer something "real" family can't. So glad you have her in your life!

August 18, 2010 at 6:08 AM  
Blogger Jessica said...

I love that kind of family!

August 18, 2010 at 6:22 AM  
Blogger Sorta Southern Single Mom said...

What a gift.. to have someone like that in your life... sometimes I think it's even better, because the person truly just loves you, there's no sense of familial obligation.

Not linking up AGAIN today... I 'll get it together again soon!

August 18, 2010 at 6:27 AM  
Blogger natalee said...

aww she sounds amazing!!!!!!!! relish every mnute with her my friend....

August 18, 2010 at 7:10 AM  
Blogger Erin said...

You are so blessed to have such a wonderful woman in your life. Family or not! Have fun visiting with her!!

August 18, 2010 at 7:18 AM  
Blogger Sugar Bear said...

You make her sound so amazing. How nice to have someone in your life that is this wonderful.
Enjoy your visit with her.

August 18, 2010 at 7:40 AM  
Blogger ~✽Mumsy✽~ said...

Wonderful and heart-warming post! She sure is a fantastic woman and definitely a family member in my book..

Have fun with her, Shell!

August 18, 2010 at 7:50 AM  
Blogger Candace Rae's Life said...

enjoy your time with her. family, like you said, has nothing to do with blood. you are all very lucky to have a relationship and family like that!

August 18, 2010 at 8:00 AM  
Blogger Kmama said...

I hope you really enjoy your visit with her!

Growing up, I had "adopted" parents. They were my best friend's parents and were like another set of parents to me. i vacationed with them, ate dinner with them, etc. And after all these years, I stay in contact with my "adopted" mom, but not my former best friend. In fact, we met up with her in San Diego when I was out there, and she took us around to see the sites.

August 18, 2010 at 8:13 AM  
Blogger Oka said...

Sometimes it easier to be around the "family" we pick :D Have a great visit.

August 18, 2010 at 8:32 AM  
Blogger Ian said...

Does she know of your blog?

August 18, 2010 at 8:43 AM  
Blogger Joey Lynn Resciniti said...

People like this make the world a nice place to live. I'm so glad you found her.

August 18, 2010 at 8:50 AM  
Blogger Sara said...

I don't know her but I want to hug her.

So glad you have someone like that in your life.

August 18, 2010 at 8:50 AM  
Blogger Farah Jasmine said...

That's so sweet. Sometimes the best family are the family members we choose. I am so glad you had someone like her to depend on while you were going through those hardships. <3

August 18, 2010 at 8:51 AM  
Blogger Evonne said...

She sounds like a wonderful person to have in your family.

Sometimes the family we can pick is better than blood. Or maybe that's just my family! I hope you enjoy your visit and things calm down soon.

August 18, 2010 at 8:58 AM  
Blogger Jen said...

People like this are just gifts.

August 18, 2010 at 8:59 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

How great it is to have such a wonderful person in your life.

August 18, 2010 at 9:05 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oooo I hope you have a good visit with your NC mom! It will be wonderful to see her again I am sure!!

August 18, 2010 at 9:06 AM  
Blogger Tylaine said...

That's so wonderful that you found someone so special in your life. How wonderful you get to see her again :)

August 18, 2010 at 9:27 AM  
Blogger Tina L. Hook said...

For those of us who have built our families from our friends, this is incredibly heartening. Thank you for sharing this.

August 18, 2010 at 10:01 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Sounds like a wonderful person. Maybe that's where you get from. :)

August 18, 2010 at 10:35 AM  
Blogger Dazee Dreamer said...

I think when people have someone like that in their lives, it is truly awesome. What a great friend and "mother" she was to you.

August 18, 2010 at 10:54 AM  
Blogger Mindy said...

Thanks for PYHO - I really needed it today to try to let go of something that has been weighing on me.

As for your post, what a lovely tribute to a dear friend. living away from my family, I am so grateful for close friends who care for us, love our children, and are like our family away from home.

August 18, 2010 at 11:09 AM  
Blogger Steph said...

This made me cry...

I'm such a baby.

So glad you found her. ♥

August 18, 2010 at 11:11 AM  
Blogger Melissa B. said...

Blood is thicker than water, but friendship can often be the ultimate bond. You are so lucky!

August 18, 2010 at 11:18 AM  
Blogger MommaKiss said...

Chosen family is often the best kind. This mom sounds like an incredible woman! Have fun with her!

August 18, 2010 at 11:19 AM  
Blogger Sarah said...

As an adoptee, I've always said that blood has nothing to do with family. I'm glad that you have those kinds of family in your life too!!! They are awesome!!!

August 18, 2010 at 11:45 AM  
Blogger LisaDay said...

Enjoy your time. It's great to have someone like that in your life.

LisaDay

August 18, 2010 at 11:48 AM  
Blogger Sassy Salsa girl said...

Wow! How awesome to have such a good friend/family :D

August 18, 2010 at 11:57 AM  
Blogger Jenn said...

That's an incredible story! You were certainly blessed to have that lady in your life. And you are right...she most certainly should be considered family!

August 18, 2010 at 12:44 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Friends that are more like family really make the world go round. I'm so glad you get a chance to spend some time with her this week! Enjoy :)

August 18, 2010 at 1:17 PM  
Blogger Ma What's 4 dinner said...

So important to have those people in your life. I'm glad she is there to spend some time with you. Have a great week with Grammy before the boys start school. WOW!!!

Lots of yummy love,
Alex aka Ma What's For Dinner
www.mawhats4dinner.com

August 18, 2010 at 1:34 PM  
Blogger Ginny Marie said...

That's definitely the definition of family and unconditional love! Enjoy your time together!

August 18, 2010 at 1:47 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Wow Shell, what a gift to have her in your life. I totally agree, sometimes the best family, is the ones that we pick for ourselves. Enjoy your moments with her!

August 18, 2010 at 2:04 PM  
Blogger MommyLovesStilettos said...

Aww Shell, I hope you have a wonderful time with her! :) :)

August 18, 2010 at 2:05 PM  
Blogger Liz Mays said...

You are so very lucky to have such a wonderful supportive person like her.

August 18, 2010 at 2:07 PM  
Blogger Cheryl said...

How lucky you are to have her - and how lucky she is to have you! I hope you have a wonderful visit with her!

August 18, 2010 at 2:37 PM  
Blogger Rebecca said...

So awesome!!! I need one of those!

August 18, 2010 at 3:13 PM  
Blogger The Mommyologist said...

Family definitely doesn't have to be blood! I know that I have some friends that I consider more family to me than my own cousins, etc.

August 18, 2010 at 4:17 PM  
Blogger Mom vs. the boys said...

aww that's nice, I need more people like that in my life!

August 18, 2010 at 4:25 PM  
Blogger Helene said...

What a very special lady!!! We all could use "family" like that!!!!

Sorry I didn't link up this week! It's been crazy with the kids starting school so I've had planned posts written ahead of time. Next week, I've got a PYHO in the works already!

August 18, 2010 at 5:04 PM  
Blogger Natalie said...

There's a quote out there that says something like "Friends are family that we choose". That was the first thing that came to mind when I read this. You are so lucky to have such an amazing friend in your life!

August 18, 2010 at 5:20 PM  
Blogger Babes Mami said...

What a wonderful woman! I had tears at the end. :]

August 18, 2010 at 6:12 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I love this post. Sometimes god hand picks our "family" for us just when we need it. i'm glad you're getting a visit with such a special person. :) I can't beleive I've missed another PYHO! If I don't my blogging life back soon I'm just gonna cry!

August 18, 2010 at 6:46 PM  
Blogger Steph said...

I love everything about this post! Its great to have "family" like this.

August 18, 2010 at 7:38 PM  
Blogger Melinda said...

Wow, you are so, so fortunate to have that woman in your life. That is so rare! Those truly are the people you know that God specifically placed in your life. One of these days I'm going to get my act together and participate in this meme. It's such a great idea. ;0)

August 18, 2010 at 8:17 PM  
Blogger Mungee's Ma said...

That's a beautiful story!

August 18, 2010 at 10:06 PM  
Blogger Stephanie said...

It is so important to open up our hearts to the wonderful people in the world. Your family that you have found, or that found you....they sound fabulous!

August 18, 2010 at 10:57 PM  
Blogger Kir said...

that is simply beautiful...and to have someone in your life like that is a TRUE GIFT..and you deserve that!!!!

thanks for sharing that and enjoy her company. :)

August 19, 2010 at 12:58 PM  
Blogger Sarah said...

Everyone should have an NC Mom in their lives! I'm glad she was able to be there for you!

August 19, 2010 at 7:08 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

My husband and I were just talking about this. How as you get older, you have to make your own family.

August 20, 2010 at 2:38 AM  
Blogger Sara said...

When I moved down here, I found some pretty great people to be my "southern family".... in some ways, I have never felt so loved.....

August 20, 2010 at 9:39 AM  
Blogger thepunkrockmom said...

I missed the Linky, but here is my 'pour your heart out blog' of the moment!
http://thepunkrockmom.blogspot.com/2010/08/open-letter-to-my-parents.html

Thanks so much for hosting this- I will definitely be back. It is so touching. You have a lovely, sweet blog and I'm so glad I found it.
Hope to see you around the bloggy-verse!
<3MaryAnne

August 21, 2010 at 1:51 AM  
Blogger Emmy said...

She sounds like a truly amazing good person. How lucky to have someone like that in your life.

August 22, 2010 at 11:03 AM  
Blogger Cranky Mommy said...

It's great when you can find family to call your own. What I found most interesting is that she ended up in NY and you stayed in NC - sounds like fate delivered the moving orders to the wrong address the first time around.

August 22, 2010 at 10:15 PM  
Blogger The Drama Mama said...

Sometimes these non-blood family members leave the biggest impacts on our hearts, simply because they didn't have to be. I'm so glad you have a relationship like this.

August 23, 2010 at 1:28 AM  

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