Sixxxxx-teeee
In-laws can be tricky. Oh, you betcha they can. The whole "other" family that shares not in your specified DNA, but yes in your last name is, oftentimes, dreaded and avoided at all cost for some. Upon smooching Kenny Cobble on the lips that June evening in 2002, I was well aware that that the above statuses would not be ones that I'd hold regarding my "other". Kenny's family is genuine & real. They are hard working and love true. They take stock in your well being and will gladly give you the shirt off their back if you need it. Being a part of Kenny's family has blessed me in so many ways. It's given me the sisters I never had. A father-in-law that takes great joy in picking and poking fun at me every.chance.he.gets. {I do my best to hold my own never fear.} And, it's given me not one mother-in-law, but 2 whom I love so very much.
Just last week, we gathered together to surprise one special lady in our family. Nana turned the BIG 60. This lady is a complex, sweet soul and completely head over heels in helping the ones she loves and calls her own. Her spirit is methodical and precise in nature. She is a seeker of information and a solver, too. She fixes and she helps to heal. She is a protective mama bear. A woman with a heart of great strength and high standards, our Nana is. This lady is a professional at preparation: a proactive & preventative individual. She spoils. Oh, does she spoil! She can easily tell you each of our favorite foods and candies as they are sure to be in her home when we arrive. She is a master at the art of concealing her vulnerabilities and her own hurts; Nana doesn't want to burden others with the holes hidden safely in her heart. To her, it's more important that we all know she is there for us.
And, this Nana, has us all. There for her. We celebrate her strengths all while knowing her hurts. We respect her privacy as she settles into sadness only to sit a spell. Each of us find ways to catch her in that moment of "I love you" when the timing seems just right. Be it, Colton snuggles with his little hand gestures for her to hold him or surprise visits from Kristi that bring her such joy. We all know that, like it or not, Nana, we have you.
I am thankful for the life of this lady. I love watching her relax and enjoy her own. I admire her heart for the little things. Those tiny details of her time with others makes more of the ones she holds so dear. Her road this past year has been a rough one. Life's losses leave us all barren only yearning for time to come back. But, with that void, there lies a hidden hope. It's called tomorrow. With the rising of that magnificent sun each morning, God works on the pain; He provides peace in the tiniest of ways to let us know He doesn't want the ache to consume us. It's in the midst of these hardest hurts, we find just exactly what is needed to bring back our smile. I kinda hope this day was that to our Nana. Forever, and I do mean forever, she will be a keeper to me.
Happy 60th!
.mac :)