Thanksgiving has passed and Christmas is coming up soon! Recently, I’ve been thinking on what all that I am thankful for.. I came up with a lot of the normal things that everyone is thankful for, family, home, friends etc.. but then it was brought to my attention that I’m more thankful for the small things than anything else. It’s the little things that I know I can’t do without.
I am so very thankful that my mom is home for this Christmas and the previous Christmas’s. Having Christmas without her while she was overseas was so difficult and unbearable. I thank God she came home safely back to us to share these moments. Also, we had a rough year with my brothers, I’m thankful that they’re happy and healthy. Of course, I’m glad that they are healthy, but their happiness means a lot to me, as well. Hopefully, one day, they’ll be even happier and will live with us full time, but as of right now I’m just glad that they are the giggly, smiley little boys that they are. Another thing that I am extremely grateful for, is my step-dad, Kris. He may not have been here since day one, but I love him as if he had. He has been such a blessing to my family and myself. He came into a situation that needed a little help and he’s been more than helpful. He makes my mom incredibly happy, he calms her when she is stressed or is having anxiety. He has shown my little brothers what a real father-son relationship is. He showed me how a father should treat a daughter and has taught me many life lessons, probably more than he is even aware of. He shows all of us kids, each day, what a real, loving marriage looks like. He has repaired my relationship with my mom and made it so much easier for us to be close again like we were before she went overseas. I went through a rough time last year and he was the only one who really built my confidence back up and helped me through everything. That man is such a huge part of my life and I care about him a great deal. I’ve had some small anxiety attacks after having horrible nightmares in which he was harmed while saving my brothers, I told him about them and he reassured me that he’s going nowhere. Anyone else, I wouldn’t have taken that to heart but I did because he knew how much a care about him and how much I don’t want to lose him as my dad or from my life at all. He knew and he was there to tell me it won’t happen, that I shouldn’t worry.
Not to be mellow dramatic, but it’s quite a change of pace for me to trust a father figure the way I do Kris. When he tells me something or makes a promise, he holds true to it, no matter how big or small. He supports my dream of being a mechanic, he talks with me about cars like a buddy while my mom stares at us not understanding whats going on. He’s not all seriousness, though. Not even close! He lightens the mood around the house, He’s a total goofball and he makes everyone laugh.
Most importantly, he makes everyone happy. Him coming into our lives, couldn’t have been more perfect. I will eternally be grateful to the man who has taught me so much and helped me to grow into who I am today.
Kris, my first car, and me.
Kris and me, changing the water pump on his truck.