Cultivating a Life of Gratitude

I am committing myself, during 2010, to attempt to cultivate a greater awareness of how much I have to be thankful and grateful for by sharing my daily findings and musings with you. It is my hope that by blogging about gratitude, I will be more aware of what is going on around me in my life, my family, my friends' lives and our world.

July 13, 2010

My Sister

I have one sister.  Her name is Jill.  E-man calls her Beans.  I miss her.

I am thankful I was able to spend some sister time with her this past March for a few days.  We had fun adventures in CO and NM.  But that feels like a long time ago.  I'm also thankful Jake and Jill had to make a trip to MN for a family funeral around Easter time because then E-man and Ross got to see them both.  (I don't mean to make light of Grandpa's passing at all ... but I AM grateful they had to come home to MN for a bit.)

So I'm trying to be grateful that August 28th is rapidly approaching, because they will be coming out for  Josh and Ann's wedding, but at the same time I miss the DeRaads!

I AM thankful Jill and I have been able to talk more since I don't teach at night time during the week as much.  That's a definite bonus!  We've also been able to chat during the day on the computer which also helps.  I am thankful whenever I ask E-man who loves him his first response is "Beans and Dake" ... he see's them less than most of his family but yet he knows they love him! How great is that?! :)

I appreciate my sister.  She has known me in all of my good, bad and ugly moments and still loves me for me.  We're both facing transitions in our lives and she's a good person to 'listen' and process transition with and bounce ideas off of ... she's good like that and I love her!

I recently read the letter she wrote to me when I graduated high school - the letter for my 'memory' book.  It hit me in a fresh way how much we have 'matured' in our friendship but how much is also very much the same.  

I'm grateful I have a sister.  I just wish I could see her more often.  That's fair, right?! :)

P.S. I can't wait for my parents to arrive home tomorrow!!!!! :)

3 comments:

  1. I think we need to find a date to go to CO and visit our sisters together. Seriously.

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  2. Thanks, Em! I would love to read that letter. I remember crying for days after you left college, and being so surprised at how much I missed having you around as the one to blaze the trail ahead of me. I remember feeling so very alone, and on my own for the first time when you moved to Bethel. Let's face it, that's probably why I followed you there...as much as I like to think I'm such a 'rugged individual'. :) I'm thankful for you and that we have the type of friendship and relationship that is 100% honest, open, and genuine. I'm not sure many people can truly say that about ANYONE in their life, let alone their sister. I'm also so very honored that you have taken time to introduce us to Ethan, even though we are too far away. It means the world to me, and makes some days a little easier, knowing that he knows he is loved by us. I am thankful to God for you, and I know you have shaped who I am today. :)

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  3. It warms my heart to read of your true, sisterly love for each other. Being a great distance apart is difficult, but thanks to the Internet, it's easier to stay connected. I think both of you are treasures!

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