I was talking to a friend yesterday and she called me “lucky“, definitely not the first time she has done so. In fact a few times she has said to me “You are the luckiest person I know!”. My co-workers have begun to say the same thing. After my big LA Trip to see Biggest Loser win last week the girls in the office got together and each threw in a dollar and requested I buy lottery tickets for everyone. I found it rather amusing and obliged. Since I’m still working full time you can probably figure out the outcome of that.
I started pondering what everyone was saying and I’ve decided they are right I am “lucky”. The day after I found out I won the trip to LA I received an email that I had won a $100 visa card in a blog giveaway I entered. So yes I admit luck is definitely on my side (and I tend to keep it that way!)
However I also have another kind of luck. A luck that I would categorize more of a blessing. That luck blessing is my family. My mother, sister, husband, children, mother-in-law and others. My extended family is not huge but it is full of love for each other.
My mother-in-law has recently stepped up to help my husband and I with some difficult times we are going through and I don’t know that I could ever thank her enough, as it has restored my peace of mind and for my husband’s sake my sanity. I am saddened that she will be leaving Florida and moving back up North. I only spent over 8 years trying to get her to Florida. However it will be a good move for her and I know she will be happy.
My sister who I can’t be more proud of as one of the youngest women to become partner and own her own Outback, is always there when I need her. I enjoy the brief times we spend together and love that our children are only 5 months apart. I love being there for her when she needs advice and vice versa. She is intelligent, independent, strong, and so much more a leader then I could ever be.
My mother is…well she’s my mother and one of my best friends. She is the person that has helped me become the person that I am. A person that I am happy to be. I know that no matter what happens in my life I can always count on my mother. I can laugh with her, talk to her, and cry on her shoulder anytime that I need too. My mother has been through her share of trials and tribulations and has experienced more loss then any one person should have to having lost a father, a friend, a brother, a mother, a husband, and a few other close family members. Through all of that my mother is still full of life and sees the good in everyone. Sometime she taught me to do as well.
My children are three beams of sunshine that brighten my day each and every second. My oldest son is intelligent, loving, and extremely responsible. I can count on him to take care of things including sometimes his little sister. My youngest son is athletic, full of curiosity, and the most giving and caring child anyone could ask for. He is popular among his friends because his caring is genuine. My daughter was a delightful surprise to us and she reminds me of me in so many ways, she is intelligent and strong willed and loves to learn. She is independent and beautiful. What these three all have in common is that I know, no matter how much they hate me at times and may even think I am mean they love me with all that they have and who they are.
My husband…Everything hasn’t always been rosy between us, we didn’t start off as the perfect couple. Don’t think that what we have and are to each other was easy to come by. We have been through our own troubles and issues, however after going on 16 years together we have reached a level of love and understanding that I can’t explain until you reach the level yourself. I can’t imagine being with anyone other then my husband. My husband is not what I would consider your “typical” stereotypical husband. If anyone forgets dates or things around our house it is not my husband, it is me. If anyone is organized, structured, and clean it is not me it is my husband. My husband brings home flowers often, expresses his love each day, and puts up with my constant ability to always be unprepared which I’m sure drives him crazy. My husband compromises, probably more then I do. He does things I want to do whether he wants to or not and is much more romantic then I am (probably one of his biggest complaints). The bottom line is that I’m beyond blessed to have the husband that I have. The husband that gave me the three rays of sunshine in my life and reminds me daily that he loves me. The husband that is my partner in my life and in crime and one that I can’t imagine ever living without.
So as you can see I truly am the luckiest person in the world in so many ways. I am Lucky, I am Blessed, and I am Loved! What more could a girl ask for?
Heather @ Family Friendly Frugality says
I’m practically sobbing here. I’m not sure if it’s my hormones or if this all touched me a lot. I’m so glad you have such a great team behind you. I do think you are very blessed, I also think you work very hard and you earn every bit of your good “luck”.
You are a good person, and I’m glad you are surrounded by good people too!
Colleen Shibley says
Thank you Heather. Yep I’m pretty blessed no doubt about it!
Lisa @ Oh Boy Oh Boy Oh Boy says
Great post. Sometimes people get caught up in thinking others are just luckier than them, but the truth is that you have worked hard to have these things too. Even in these relationships that a blessing to you, if you didn’t make the effort in them, they wouldn’t be that blessing. So yes, you are absolutely blessed but I’m sure that everyone you mentioned, would say that you are equally a blessing to them!
Colleen Shibley says
Now I’m gong to be the one to tear up. Thank you for such an extremely thoughtful comment.
Sharon says
I don’t really have anything really great to say but just wanted to tell you that, that is a great post.
Colleen Shibley says
Well that is great in itself. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Carol says
Why yes, yes you are! What a great tribute to those that matter and influence your life.
have a great weekend, Colleen!
LeeAnn says
You definitely work hard, but I still say you’re the luckiest person I know! 😀
LeeAnn says
And how in the world do I get my picture to show up? It shows up on other WP blogs. I don’t like being crazy triangle guy. LOL
Mama B says
what an excellent post! It’s always nice to take time and reflect on how lucky AND blessed we are