Reflecting on Memories
I have this cousin… Monnica. Yes, her name is spelled with two N’s. She holds it against her mother. ((wink))
Monnica and I grew up very close. Her mother is the baby and my mother is next to the youngest of our grandmother’s ten children.
Monnica and I both grew up very close to our grandmother whom was very much a strong influence in both of our lives.
During Christmas and summer vacations, growing up, Monnica and I spent a lot of time together. Both of us had pretty rocky and trying childhoods.
Although she is three years younger than me she has always inspired me. To be a better friend, a better sister, a better cousin, a better follower of Jesus.
Monnica married in 2004. I stood with her at the alter, tears rolling down my face, as she and her husband exchanged vows they had written.
She had her first baby right after I had the twins (Nick and Luke). Her oldest daughter is Hannah. My Luke is always mesmerized by Miss Hannah. She looks and acts exactly like her mother did when we were kids. How history repeats itself.
Monnica had her second daughter, Madison, right before I had Matthew.
Then her and her husband moved from Dallas to right outside of Houston where she taught Spanish as a public school teacher. (I always thought it was so funny that she majored in Spanish and minored in English in college.) Her husband is a youth minister.
A little over a year ago they moved to Alabama for his ministry. All of the sudden. It really came out of no where for me. Our visits were already limited. It broke my heart.
Then, a few months back she decided to join the Army to become part of National Guards and help pay off her student loans.
Real Boot Camp. The photos of training look grueling.
She is away from her family- her two sweet girls who miss their mama terribly and her husband who misses his wife.
I had no idea she was this strong. This brave. This bold. Knowing the current state of our country and all of it’s enemies and she gives selflessly, like many others, to protect.
Sometimes we forget how lucky we are. When family lives close and we don’t have lunch enough. We skip some of the opportunities to get the kids together. We don’t call enough.
Right now I just want to have coffee with her. To hug her neck. To let her know how strong I know she is more than ever.
Instead I am sending a card and asking for a rain check for coffee. I am reminded of all of the memories of our childhood and our kids playing together before she moved. Thanking God for memories.
I can only imagine how changed she is right now. How driven this experience has been to make her even better. I honestly had no idea she had this in her. Be All YOU Can Be, right?
As I slip this card into the mailbox and send my heart in words to someone who longs for family right now, I encourage you to remember that life is a special occasion.
Who do you have to thank for the memories? Right now is the perfect time to send them a card. Each of the cards in this post are from Hallmark. Make sure you signup for Hallmark Card Rewards program. For every 5 cards you buy, you get a reward of your choice. You can also follow them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HALLMARK and on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Hallmark. I am! Feel free to read my disclosure.)
Wow! Wonderful words. We do miss you and the family terribly. Texas is my next trip I hope and pray.