Advice Not Taken

I spent Monday with two of my grandchildren, Taity and Duck.  I was never so elated.  They are exciting young people with hopes, dreams, ideas, and all those things that make living so exciting.  I was honored that they actually wanted to spend the entire day with me and doing things that we used to do together when they were much younger.

We went to IHOP (my place).  We took in a movie, The Equalizer, my choice.  We rode around from place to place, and then they drug me home kicking and screaming (like they use to do) because I was not ready for our day to end.  We drank fresh pineapple juice (I prepared earlier in the day), and we ate fresh salads compliment from my son to help me on my weight loss program, and I conked out.  Exhausted from my oh so pleasant day.

Years ago, many said with firmness, oh my God, aren't you talking to your children about having babies so young? Or girl you must be disappointed in your children having all of those babies so early!  Or Glad it's your children and not mine ruining their lives.  The list went on and on and on.  Back then, I did have aspirations for my children to wait until later in their lives to start their families.  I knew the struggle that they were getting into, but the one piece of advice I received that I never even thought about taking was to make them have an abortion so that they could achieve the "better life!"

This day alone proved to me that my children and I made the better choice, and for that I will always be grateful and appreciate the fact that they (my children) listened to me.  We are poor.  We are constantly struggling to make ends meet.  We are hard working.  We love each other, and we HAVE EACH OTHER even when we are scrapping!  We are a family.  We love God, and practice our faith daily.  We know that things are forever changing, and that nothing or no one stays the same, but we will always be family.

Long and short, we may not have cash in the bank, stocks and bonds, too big houses, expensive cars, or own vacation homes in ten different countries, but we sleep well at night.  We can walk with our heads held high anywhere in the world, and know that someone (in our case, a lot of someones), REALLY, HONESTLY and TRULY give a damn about how we are doing!  With Taity and I sitting at the computers last night, we came up with the number 34 living family members (counting current and past spouses) that we call family.  (NOTE:  We often call them other things too, but when the rubber meets the road, we know who will have our backs.)

So, to all my former critics, thank you for all of the advice, criticism, and head shaking.  Twenty-six years later, I am the proudest MOTHER, GRANDMOTHER, and GREAT GRANDMOTHER on EARTH!  Even when I am at my worst moment in life, I have 33 reasons to smile and even laugh out loud.

How is your world and your life?  Think about it.  You are probably equally blessed.

Peace and blessings always.