Grateful For You

 I'm grateful for you. I think of you every time my husband plays with our kids. I think of you when he has far more patience with me than I deserve. I think of you when he listens to all my troubles without a word, but with an open and loving heart. I think of you when I'm too serious with myself and he makes me laugh with one of his little jokes, reminding me not to sweat the small stuff. I'm grateful that he got these traits from you.

I'm grateful for the time before Ty and I got married when I was with you at church and you introduced me like this:

"This is Hallee. She's going to be my daughter and I'm so excited!" 

I am beyond lucky that you welcomed me into your family and accepted me as your own. I feel at home in your house and in your company. 

I'm grateful that you provide a wonderful example for everyone around you. You accept everyone with open arms and zero judgment, and a "more the merrier" attitude. You have changed my own attitude and my heart with your example. 

Thank you for being supportive of our future goals and dreams, and for always doing whatever you can to help us accomplish those things. We love you for being forever supportive, but always sitting back and watching us make our own choices. Thank you for being there for us always, in the big moments and the small ones.

You don't know what it means to me that you will sit and listen...to the struggles of my heart, to my complaints, to my funny and strange stories. To my future plans. To my random thoughts. I don't get much adult interaction and so I fear you are often the victim of my word vomit. But you accept it with unending patience and a listening  ear.

Thank you for always responding with kindness and thoughtfulness to my questions and sometimes judgments about others. You always keep me on the right track for leaning towards understanding instead of criticism.

You are an angel and a light in my life and in the life of my boys. An amazing bonus mom for me, a perfect grandma for my boys, and the wonderful woman who raised my equally wonderful husband. Every single day, I'm grateful for you.