Today I am thankful for my Royce! Many people don't know her, but when I reflect on my early influences she is a huge one!! She lived with us when I was young, took care of us until I was 12 and then she moved back to her home in Maine. She never had children, so she was always always taking care of other peoples children!
She was like another grandma to us! She made sure we always had sweet treats, were always in church and made sure we knew how much she loved us. She had no money...when I say no money, I mean NO extra money! But what few cents she had left, she used to get us little treats!
Days with her were full of simple moments...dirt digging, coloring, kool aid drinking, church going, simple moments. But to this day, the time she and I spent together are some of the fondest childhood memories I have!
After she moved, I struggled, not necessarily because she moved, but just because of the age...those early teenage years are tough ones and so confusing! At 14 Starr and I decided I was going to get to Maine to see Royce! My mom told me if I could get the money, I could go! (I don't think she ever thought that would happen!) So I babysat, my cousin and I had yard sales, and we did just that! Raised enough money for 2 bus tickets to Maine! So off we went! I tell you all that to say, I am so grateful for that trip! That summer in Maine is where I found myself! It was just Starr and I and we had the best time! We fell in love with her church, we shopped, we ate, and we just found ourselves. It is that summer that helped me figure out who I wanted to be! What kind of life I wanted! And after a six week break from the "home life" and drama that comes from blended families and 4 kids in the house, I had a new perspective!
So, I am thankful for Royce...her influence, her guidance, her patience, her love. And most of all, helping me find myself and lighting that "faith fire" within me! I love her so!!! Chris and I had the opportunity to spend almost a whole week with her, in Maine before our last baby! It was a trip I will treasure...I will treasure the time he and I spent being together and I will treasure what could have possibly been the last time I will see her! She is aging and I can see that, but she still has that same faith filled drive to press on! Oh how I adore her, and I am so very very thankful for her and the influence she had on my life! :)
No comments:
Post a Comment