Moms

This May also brought some sad times to our family. I hope Les doesn't mind me posting about this, but it is definitely something I have reflected on so much. My sister in law Leslie's mom passed away this spring and it was a heartbreaking and also beautiful thing to see that wonderful family come together and take such good care of each other. They always have done. I love each and every one of the Fitch siblings! They are a fantastic addition to our family.

This experience has made me realize how much I take my own mom for granted. I really, honestly do. It's one of my greatest downfalls and I feel sick about it. I don't know that my mom reads this, but if she does I want her to know how beautiful she is, inside and out. I want her to know that I think about her everyday and try to copy her every move. Her voice rings through my head about everything I do and her sweet advice or encouragement reminds me of things she and my dad have taught me since I was a little one. I want her to know that I try so hard to be the selfless person that she is. She is a lot to live up to though folks, I won't lie. I want her to know that I treasure her friendship and her teaching me everything I know. She has talents on top of talents and she blesses so many lives with her happy attitude. I want my kids to know how wonderful she is. She is Christlike and confident and friendly. I depend on her for everything from cooking advice to budgeting and everything in between! Wherever she is is home to me. I love her!

In light of this as well, I'd like to add how blessingful (I have an issue with not finding the right words lately, so that'll have to do) it is to have a family in law. Heavenly Father's divine plans never cease to amaze me. How perfect is that that we get to have a bonus family! No they are not the same as the one you are born into. No they do not need to be. The plan is not to replace, it is to add. I don't remember the exact dialogue here, but at Lisa's funeral services Leslie was thanking my family for being there for everything. She said something about it is just like you guys are my real family, and my mom instantly said, we are. We are, she said. Leslie agreed with her, and though I didn't say anything aloud, my heart agreed too. People always get frustrated with me because I don't call my siblings-in-law my "brother/sister in law" instead I just say my sister this... or my brother that... and they get confused about who I am talking about. I do that because they really are like my blood sisters and brothers. They feel like it. It's not like they are some unattached part of my family unit. To me they are one and I love it that way. I am grateful for the bonus family members I have! We seriously could not have been placed here in a better way to help one another along. Heavenly Father has set up so many avenues for blessings, it's miraculous.