Families of all shapes and sizes

Just as I decide to commit myself to writing again, I went on vacation, came back and started a new job, then started house and furniture hunting. It never ends. I have only myself to blame for my lack of ability to sit still, I love change!


In an ever changing world, I strive when my ever changing life is busy. I think that stability is nice, as long as it doesn't apply to me. I'm far too much of a free spirit to stay in one place for too long. I have a feeling deep down that I get this from my father. He was never a part of my life growing up, as him and my mother divorced right after I was born. He was always on the go, and then decided that he would rather live alone and work out of town. That was fine with mom. She's tough as nails and preferred to raise me on her own, if it meant that I would have stability. We moved once just before I started junior high school, then never again, and those houses were mere minutes apart. Mom has never been one for sporadic or drastic change. I, on the other hand, am a huge fan of packing up and hitting the road. Whether it be a roadtrip, travelling or moving, I am not a sit still and let the world pass me by kinda gal!


It took me a long time to figure out that I get a lot of these things from my father. I guess because I would never want to be compared to him, I overlook the fact that I am very much a part of him. After all, it did take his DNA to create me! The reasons behind my apprehension would take days to list. I will say that I do not want to give him credit for shaping the person that I am today. Mom did that on her own. I will however thank God, in her grace for giving me the best of both parents. Somewhere along the line, it all balanced out.

I love when people tell me how strong I am. It is by far the highest compliment that can be paid to me. Growing up I always tried to imagine being as strong as my mother. She never faltered, no matter what this life threw her way. She is a pillar of strength. I never once imagined that one day I would exude her strength in my own way. It does not go unnoticed either. People often comment on my easy going attitude and how strong I always appear, despite adversity. I credit my mother for this and many other amazing attributes that she has so graciously passed on to me.

The thing with my father is that, I am blinded to the ways in which him and I are alike. I hardly know him, and he chooses not to know me, so how can I possibly be like him? Mom says that he was once a very kind and caring person, but that he stopped being able to show that. Alcoholism took that away from him, and now he's a recluse, choosing to fight his demons alone.

Its amazing what one very strong parent can do... And I am thankful everyday of my life for the choices that she made.