Relationship Reflection

Even when we are children we seek out comfort from the people that we love.  For me it is the feeling of comfort to be around someone who enjoys me for me.  I have flaws,  I have learned life lessons and I have suffered heart ache.  But it is the people that stick with me throughout these situations that I hold dear to my heart.

My parents are some of those people.  They have witnessed me grow and change.  They suffered with me before I knew what suffering was.  Apparently I was not an easy infant, but the stories that they tell, just shows how much they loved me even when I was being difficult.  Now I have known for myself that I have been a difficult child from about 3 - 13.  As a child I did not like sock, shoes, clothes, following rules, naps, milk and following directions.  Most of the rule breaking happened when I was almost 2-4, but I do not remember most of that, so should it really count against me? Non the less my parents were advocates for me, and they still are, I treasure that everyday.

Now growing up I moved around a lot, and it was hard to keep consistent friends.  But I think that I have managed to gain a couple since my high school years, and there is one that has stuck around through all my trials in life too.  Ms. White was a friend in the youth group, who had a rotten living situation at home, but we bonded because we were both quiet people.  Through the years of moving around, she maintained contact.  It wasn't until my 20's that I started to appreciate the friendship that I had with her.  We are able to be completely honest with each other without the fear of judgment. We have both had our life experiences, and we share these situations to learn from each other. 

My grandmothers will always be the voice of reason in my ear.  I could go months without talking to them, and they will question everything and be completely honest with me, whether I like it or not.  Sure they care if it hurts me, but they rather be the ones to burst my bubble rather than someone else that is just going to make it hurt worse.

I have always appreciated my different family relations.  They have been hard to maintain.  The key to them all is communication.  I cannot be afraid to talk to any of them because of the outcome I think will follow.  But to have the courage to talk to them because we care about the same thing.  Without these relationships I would not have the confidence in myself that I have.  They are forever proud in what I am doing, no matter how hard I fall sometimes.  But I know that I can talk to anyone of these people and they will listen, and help me get through it.

I try to make this my example in my workplace.  I do not know everyone's story in their life, and it is not my place to judge.  But I can tell you that I will be there to listen, and I will help in anyway that I can.