While this may have happened just over three years ago, it's a reminder of the miracle that Al-Anon has bestowed upon me.
There are some things in this post that are personal, that I don't talk about often, and normally don't write down for it to be permanently placed on the internets forever and ever, but this post is real and comes from the heart and I won't be holding back my thoughts and feelings.
Three years ago, I graduated from OU with a bachelor's degree. I invited a host of family members knowing that because they all live so far away that many of them might not be able to show up. I also invited ALL of my family, meaning I invited my dad's side and mom's side.
Here are the reasons why this photo is a miracle.
1. My mom (in the center with blonde curly hair) and my dad (baseball cap in the back on the left) divorced when I was really, really young. The fact that my parents could come together for my sake made me so incredibly happy. I was able to share my achievement with both of my parents, which meant more than I could say.
2. My paternal grandparents (the stellar looking gentleman holding the baby in the front left and the beautiful woman in the pink shirt behind him) got to see me graduate, after many struggles in college and in life. My Peepaw paid for my college and for that I will be forever grateful. He gave me the opportunity to succeed, something I didn't think I was going to get.
3. This photo wouldn't have happened before. This I know, because when I graduated high school my family "wasn't allowed" to spend time together. My mom and my now-ex-step-dad were married when I graduated high school. I invited all of my family to come see it because, duh, it's a big deal. Well, because of my stepdad's super controlling tendencies, and him being an overall jerk, he wouldn't allow my dad's side of the family to see me on my graduation weekend. I was BEYOND upset, I was livid. Enraged. Broken hearted. Everyone was hurt, not just me, and it was a totally unacceptable action he took.
4. Both sets of my grandparents got to see me graduate college! Then they got to mingle and talk and catch up afterwards! You see, they never had any hard feelings towards each other (to my knowledge). The high school fiasco was out of everyone's control and it was wonderful to get to experience all of my family coming together with no resentment and to just focus on the celebration.
5. See those two little girls in the front? Purple shirt and pink shirt? Those are two of my sisters. One of my brothers is to my left in the beanie.
6. My aunts, my uncle-in-law, my cousin and her daughter(s) (she was preggo with her 2nd!), my mom's husband, and Jose's mom, dad, and cousin all got to be there, along with wonderful friends, my boss at the time and his awesome family, and some of my best friends. It's just incredible! So many people I care about and love!
6. Because of Al-Anon, I didn't have to worry about the mildly-crazy things that happened this weekend. I got to focus on spending time with people who wanted to come see me and celebrate my achievement. It didn't matter who was acting out, I didn't have to get resentful or upset, I didn't have to think about why this couldn't have happened in high school. I could be grateful for this awesome, wonderful, amazing opportunity to have most of my family together and be happy, joyous, and free.
What's one photo that reminds you of a miracle that has been bestowed upon you? Let me know!
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