Where I Come From

Its September... yes September. Wow where did summer go? I mean just yesterday it was June and I as on a beach in Mexico. But alas, the fall is upon us and its time to get back to grind... haha I've been at it all summer no rest for this wear lawyer. But I am going to do a linking up with one of my favs this month for Blogtember.

   

Yup, you heard me, a month of blogging fun. So let's begin with this topic:

Tuesday, Sept. 3: Describe where or what you come from. The people, the places, and/or the factors that make up who you are.

For those of you who don't know, I am a yankee. Yes I know, bad word down in these parts. I was born in small town Pennsylvania. I am second to last of a million grandkids, my mom is the oldest of 7 children.. I have a large family... that I don't know.

See, when I was almost 2, my mom had the crazy idea to export us to another country... aka Texas. Yup, she up and moved myself and my brother to this great southern land of cows, BBQ and rodeo. She loaded up the car and with the help of my uncle, started anew.

We landed in Arlington, Texas and I have not moved more than 20 miles from there since, well except for the dark years of law school, but  I try to forget those.

But I am so much more than that. Yes, I have a mom and dad and cousins, aunts, uncles, etc... but if you have read this blog for any amount of time you know I am so much more. See, I have this unique family of people who chose to love me.

I am blend of my blood and my adopted family.

I learned how to be independent and strong, but also poised and graceful from V. She  never let me wallow in self pity, even when I wanted to, and told me that I had to work hard if I wanted to go places. She gave me the tools I needed to be successful in this world and look good while doing it. She imparted knowledge well beyond twirling--she ingrained in me the importance of honesty and integrity even when its hard or easier to lie. She also taught me that when someone truly loves you they don't care where you come from and what past you have experienced.

My mom taught me that family does matter. We may not always like them, but they are a part of us. She has showed me that sometimes you just gotta dust yourself off and try again, and again, and again.

D has showed me what it means to be a loving father, good husband and a real man. He instilled faith in me that I can and will find someone who worthy, and that good  men are out there, sometimes you just gotta search a little longer or harder. He taught me the importance of investing in my future and respecting myself first and foremost. He also taught me that when all else fails, talk about the flowers.

Aunt K has taught me its ok to have real feelings. I can think and act and feel. She taught me about good books and gin, and how to really enjoy a meal. She forces me to think everyday and never loses a chance to challenge me. She has shown me that love comes in many forms. Funny, she used to scare the heck outta me and now I can't think of what I would do without her.

I also have the intricate network of other people who have shaped me. From twirling moms, who cheered me on and put me in my place, to my best friends parents who loved me like their own and had the sex talk with me in the car, to the ladies at TCU who have watched me grow from 18 to 30 and continue to be present in my life, I have been surrounded by love. Now, I can see more than ever that I am product of so much more than genes--I am a product of love.

I may come from small town, backwoods Quaker country, but I am the strong, confidant, successful woman I am today because of those people who do not have to love me, but choose to everyday.