I was born in San Antonio, but grew up in a SMALL town here in Oklahoma. I love the town I grew up in. I would live in a small town again too. I love the community that small towns bring. Sure, you have the typical small town stuff that goes on...like everybody knows EVERYBODY'S business, and that held true for me. If you are in...you are in, but if not....well....you know. I wasn't really "in". I wasn't popular but that's okay. When I was about four years old, my parents divorced. So began the blended family life. My mother remarried a few years after and that man remained my step-father until his death almost 8 years ago. My dad remarried...a few times. :) I believe we became the textbook definition of Blended Family. LOL. I won't complain too much about this, because I gained great perspective from each of those marriages. I had a good youth and I had fun. I do not regret or wish for better.
When I was a Senior in Highschool, I got pregnant and was married. I finished school, graduated and went on to be a wife and mother of two wonderful kids, talented and awesome in every way. I accomplished this feat all by age 19. Yes...a baby having babies and I had no idea what I was doing. I did know beyond a shadow of any doubt that I loved them beyond what I thought possible and still do to this day!
Something seemed missing to me and I became a statistic of sorts when I decided to leave my marriage. 5 years I made it, until I felt I couldn't do it anymore. It wasn't for lack of love...because I loved. I was lost, I guess. I wanted the best for my kids and didn't want them to have to be uprooted from the only home they knew, so along with their father, we decided for joint custody arrangement and they would continue to live with him. The years following were tough years for me. Divorce is hard...and it's hardest on the children. I don't remember the hard parts of divorce from my childhood. My parents did a good job of keeping the "junk" away from my brother and I. I can't say I did the same. Again...tough years for all concerned. We both remarried and blended family once again...now for my children. Here is where a great amount of grace and mercy enters in...because God sustained me and I believe this is where my growth began. I remain thankful to this day for the stepparent in my kids life. I didn't always feel that way, but I know she took very good care of them and loves them deeply. I'm also very thankful to my husband, because it takes a big person to love another person's children. Both stepparents here have loved sacrificially.
Those two kids are now grown and have kids of their own...I'm so very proud of them. They made it, in spite of their mother's hang ups early on. I'm thankful for my relationship with them both.
This is where I will end part 1. I've heard when sharing your life or testimony that you keep as brief as you can, but point out the main things. I'm about to turn 50 years old in a couple of months and keeping my life brief is not really easy! But I will try.
Thanks for reading this far and I'll try and get part 2 out soon.
Be blessed,
Val
Sharing is scary. You're brave.
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