To The Family That Took Me In.
My cup runneth over!
“Family isn’t always blood. It’s the people in your life who want you in theirs; the ones who accept you for who you are. The ones who would do anything to see you smile and who love you no matter what.”
First off, I want to say thank you. I never realized my heart could grow so much with the love I have been shown but also the love I grew for each and every one of you! I love seeing the look on peoples face when I tell them I am an only child but also the oldest of 8. And that my grandma is a year older than my mom! 😉
At the age of 17, I decided it was time to make a change. I knew it was time to leave my house in order to save myself. I knew that if I wanted my life to continue I would have to make a change and put myself first. I would have to fight for my life because no one else would. At this point in my life I had given up and felt like I was dying. I didn’t know which way was up or even if there was an up. I was searching for something not knowing what or who it was. After living out of my car and scrounging for food, I made a phone call that would alter my life forever.
To my “adoptive” family, thank you for helping bring me back to life. You slowly found me when I was lost, loved me when I thought I was unlovable, cherished me when I wasn’t the easiest to cherish, spent time with me when you had so many other things to do, brought light into my darkness and helped show me a path I could never have imagined existed.
I don’t even like to use the word “adopted” because in my heart I feel like we were always meant to be family. Using the word adopted makes me still feel like an outsider, that I am not good enough to be a part of the family. These people have loved, supported, guided, listened, laughed, reprimanded, cried and pushed with me through everything. There have been hard times but also the most marvelous times I could have imagined. The most precious times have been simple moments where I can really tell how much they love me but also enjoy and want to be around me.
I have had many many doubts that I wasn’t loved by them, wasn’t good enough, not the person they wanted me to be and have felt left out and an outcast. Every time I have thought this, they have broken through my walls with the simplest of actions and I know without a doubt that they will continue to do so each and every time. I have been told that since I am not blood I am not really part of the family and my response is that we are all sinners covered by the blood of Jesus. Christ’s blood is thicker than any earthly blood could ever be. We are connected through the work of our Savior.
My family has shown me but also walked out what it means to be a believer and follower of Jesus Christ. They strive to have their words back up their actions. When first living with them I was not a believer, but was able to see first-hand the grace, kindness, peace, patience, joy, forgiveness and redemption that was poured out daily to others and myself. I was able to see the quiet dignity that came with serving others and taking in children that just needed to be loved (myself included).
You have taught me to see others differently, continue to put myself aside, honor others and to have grace with others who need a helping hand. I am so honored that you have welcomed me into your family with open arms. You trust me to be with my siblings and cousins. And I cherish that trust so deeply.
To my wonderfully family, I want to say thank you more than I know how. Words will never be able to express the love I have for you and the joy I have being with you and thinking about you. Your love and support has changed me forever. I thank you for laughing at and with me, for celebrating my achievements, being comfortable in the silence, feeding me, giving me a place to call home and for being you! I also thank you for continuing to have me push past the hard and have me stay connected with my family that I would have otherwise given up on. You taught me to work harder, strive for more, dream bigger, love more deeply and fear less. When I see each of you I see Jesus shining through and can feel His love pouring out.
I love you and goodness will I miss all of you dearly over this next year!
Love You All FOREVER!,
Dra
