Rather than boycott Valentine's Day, I've decided to revel in my singleness. Granted, I'm not "in love," but there's so much love in my life that it overwhelms me sometimes. So here's to all of you, the ones who I don't tell often enough how very much you mean to me....
I love TAYLOR, CHANCE and HOPE... I've never borne children, but these three are amazing, fabulous, beautiful kids. Taylor's all grown up but still thinks I'm cool enough to text, even when he's on a date. Chance still gives hugs willingly. And Hope is the most precocious child I've ever known. But they all make me smile, make me proud, and make my heart burst with love.
I love BRAD... there are a lot of years between us, and it took us awhile to become friends, but I admire him so much. And I'm proud of him.
I love my DAD... even when he sends a numeric page and leaves a message, or uses IM like e-mail, he's one of a kind. We've had our rough patches, but he can be awesome. And he makes good candy. Plus, I've found out my stepmom can be pretty cool herself.
I love my GRANDMOTHERS... for teaching me about unconditional love, unselfishness, and putting others above yourself. They are class personified, even when they carry yellow purses and wear matching shoes, or have a closet full of bedazzled gear.
I love MEMAW KAT... for worrying about me when I am sick, sending me cookies that Lonnie never delivers, and for teaching me how to boogie to KC and the Sunshine Band. Memaw and PEEP have been like second parents to me.
I love ESTELLA and CHRIS... Estella is warm, gracious, and everyone wants to be around her. Chris makes sure everything works, from my knives to my tires. A visit to their house is like coming home.
I love JOE... because, even when his OCD kicks in and he's tightly scheduling our vacation, he's one of the most loyal, supportive, and loving people I've ever known. I could break down in California, and he'd come and get me. Oh, he'd say, "I told you so," but he'd do it.
I love ALISA and SCOTT... for seeing me at my very worst and still letting me hang out with the cool kids. Our conversations have changed from drummer boys to little boys, but their friendship has always been constant. Even when I didn't deserve it.
I love ASHLEY... for listening to my rants about work, for thinking more highly of me than I do of myself, and for being the most talented person I know. I kinda like LARRY sometimes. And I'm already in love with EMMA and PARKER.
I love SORNE and VANCE... Sorne, because even when it's been too long between visits, we can always pick right back up where we left off. She's loyal, smart, and always fabulously dressed. And Vance grew on me. Now he makes me laugh like no one else can.
I love BRENT and DAVE... who else could appreciate a $70 steak, talk about football and pageants at the same time, and know the lyrics to every good song from the 80s? They make me smile and make me appreciate life.
I love JEN and SHANNON... I have two male cousins who are near my age that I've always been close to, and they both married up. I'm so glad that both of these amazing women are now my friends, not simply cousins-in-law. Because each of them accomplish more each day than I've ever done in my life. They've faced amazing obstacles (and not just their husbands) and come out as strong, smart, Godly women. And I do love LONNIE and SCOTT, too. But shhh... don't tell them... they might think I've grown soft in my old age.
I love DeWOOD... for looking out for me, believing in me, and making me want to live a better life.
I love NANNER... because, even though she's 15 years younger than me, she thinks I'm cool enough to hang out with on a Friday night. And we have the same (good) taste in music, movies, television, and books.
I love all the great kids in my life who shower me with hugs and kisses, even when they don't want to, and who I can return to their parents... BRADY, AVERY, PEYTON, GREY, MASON, and ISAAC. All boys... go figure.
And I love all of those who've gone Home before me... MOM, PAIGE, and both my GRANDFATHERS. How very lucky I am to have known you; how very forward I look to seeing you in heaven.
If I've left you off the list it's because I forgot, I didn't think you'd read my blog, or I don't love you. Take your pick.
Keith Craft, one of the speakers at yesterday's conference, said that, in order to be successful, you must align yourself with the right people. People who believe in you, people who challenge you, and people who share your values. Who are your people? These folks are mine. Love you all!
xoxo,
Lori
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7 comments:
I am flattered to be on your list. You are the girl I never had! You are cool to hang out with and fun to travel with. I like cooking with you, even though I don't have the utensils or ingredients that you require! You have always been good to me and yes I have always worried about you, just like I do Lonnie and Woody and Brad. I hope you have a great V day. Paul got me roses. Should I be worried? We love you lots. Memaw Kat and Peep
Ahh, Lori, I LOVE YOU TOO! Happy V-day! You're a pretty amazing woman yourself, ya know.
Wait. What the heck. Peep got Memaw roses?!? Whoa. Hell just froze over. Did you feel it?
Wowzer! I'm honored for the mention, LJ-Dub.
(You did forget to mention Jesus, but I'll remind him that he needs to log into your blog more often, I'm sure that you didn't think He'd read it. He probably got tired of all that talk about the Bible.)
I know, I know...there's a bolt of lightning somewhere with my name on it. It had to be said.
OK, DeWood. I withdraw my comment that you make me want to be a better person. I'm supposed to be the one corrupting you, not the other way around.
But LOL, anyway.
And yes, Jen, hell has frozen over. I guess maybe Peep finally figured out how lucky he is. Only took him 35 years.
I do love Jesus. Don't always honor Him the way I should, but I love Him always! (So if He logs on now, He'll see that.)
Lori - this is Scott, Shannon called me in for something I needed to read......
I love you too and I miss you, I'm so proud of you in everything that you have been able to do. Happy Valentines Day, I Love You Scott.
Okay, it's Shannon again, I took the keyboard back over. You totally had me bawling and laughing at the same time. I could barely read it! I think that is the sweetest Valentine of all times. And, it goes both ways - we think you are an amazingly amazing woman in every way!
And, you do know that your dad will now have to print a copy, (if he hasn't already) take it to Mildred, she will hang on to it for the rest of her days, make every soul that enters her room from the Medical Director on down read it, she will carry it with her for her next door neighbors family visiting from Virginia to read it, and then she'll forget and we'll have to read it again.
So much for taking pictures of the boys, that picture will be chunked out as she will need the frame for the copy of this entry! ;) LOVE you girl! Happy, happy Valentine's Day!!
I don't think I've ever heard of a better V-Day gift than this. Of course, I cried while reading it...not just the part about me, but about everyone. It's not the pregnancy hormones, either.
You are so amazing and so is this post, but shouldn't be surprising to any of us...we all know how thoughtful and fabulous you are. Leave it up to you to give the best V-Day gift.
I've been busy modeling finances and accounting for tax purposes, so I am just getting around to reading my 3 favorite blogs: Perez, Andrew Sullivan, and YOU! I cannot tell you how honored I am that I made your list! I think you are AB FAB! And we do have spectacular taste! I love us!
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