A perfect day with my guys and my grandparents
Hillary Clinton is quoted as saying, "It takes a village to raise a child." The day she said that was probably the day I fell in love with her. Truer words have never been spoken. None of us get where we are without the help of others and the more we assist one another, the better children we raise.
Recently I had one of those days that you just cherish. A day where you just know there will be no other day that tops it. While the Sonish was visiting in June we made the trip over to visit my family. We spent an entire day in Springfield, IL touring the Lincoln Presidential Museum and Lincoln's Tomb. Our group consisted of 3 of my four remaining grandparents (thanks to my combined family I started out with 8 total grandparents), the Hubs, and the Sonish. We were quite a group. Full of laughter and chatter, telling stories and enjoying one another's company. In the middle of it I found myself pausing and trying to take it all in. To spend the day with 5 of the people I love most in this life still overwhelms me with emotion and gratitude.
31 years ago, my grandparents made a decision. They decided to always work together to be our grandparents, to continue to respect and love one another regardless of their children's decision to divorce for the sake of assisting with raising my brother and I. Their decision would alter the course of my life.
When my parents decided to divorce in 1982 I was 8 and my brother was 5. Back then, divorce simply wasn't as common as it is today. In fact, my brother was the only other person I knew who's parents were divorced. To say I felt isolated and alone was an understatement but somehow my grandparents always knew when to comfort us. I look back now and realize some of them were barely older than I am today when they became grandparents and yet somehow they were experts at it. If they had doubts about being grandparents, they never showed it.
As we grew and my parents navigated their lives as single parents to the best of their abilities, my grandparents were there to pick up the pieces every time someone stumbled. When it became necessary for me to live with my grandparents, they worked together yet again to make sure I was well cared for and had the guidance necessary to stay on track. They encouraged healing and mending of relationships, peace and understanding. Today I have a great relationship with my parents thanks in great part to their efforts in our lives.
I'm sure they've not always agreed with one another but their respect for one another combined with their love for us brought us the success we have today. They encouraged us, said no when we needed structure or to rethink, listened, gave guidance and even spiritual council. I can't imagine life without each of them today.
So if it takes a village to raise a child, I'm most thankful for the village elders and their wisdom, love, and guidance that brought me to where I am today. I am truly blessed.