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REFLECTIONS ON THE PAST TEN YEARS.

Here we are, in a new decade, a new beginning, a whole new world. As I look back on the past ten years I can honestly say it has been on heck of a ride. Our family has changed, we have grown, we have had a fair share of ups and also our fair share of downs. While I am sure this is not really any different than most if not all families, it is still something to look back on.


We started this decade with 12 children, we now have 18. Up close, we lost Jason, our 14 year old son, whose life was really more of a miracle than one filled with sadness. Merrill and I have both said good bye to our dads and I said good bye to a brother. Death is never easy but it helps you realize how wonderful life is and how you need to live it to the fullest. Funny, we all say this, the hard part is remembering it and doing it. Merrill is blessed to still have his Mother alive. Lord willing we will go see her for her 81st birthday in a few weeks.


I myself nearly died. I was in the hospital for three months. As I look back this was a near impossible time for us as a family. It once again showed what this family is really made of and that this family is full of suviviors. I know that I would have died had The Lord not brought in Lee Trotter to take care of me and to save my life. He has never once given up on me and it helps me that he believes in me.


I have to say that while there were many wonderful events in this life of ours, by far the greatest for this entire family was getting to bring McClain home from the hospital, our very first infant and one that had no past but us as his family. I am sure that if you are a follower of our blog, then you get tired of reading that, but it was huge and even to this day, it is still something that we have never done again.


Merrill and I know that some of the most challenging children that we have are not the ones that most think are, they are our children that have all of the emotional issues. They are the ones that each and every day need the stability that this family has to offer. We know that for whatever reason God has brought them home to us, His plan is perfect and He will see us though.


Personally I am just amazed that Merrill and I have been married as long as we have. Now, this is not because of our commitment to each other or because of our love for each other, it is more based on the fact that so many of our friends have not known this wonderful blessing.  If there is anything that I have learned, it is this, marriages are disposable, but so are children. I wish that family would become the priority that it needs to be.


As I look back on the children I am just amazed at how they have grown and changed. So many of them are doing things we were told they would never do. We had our first ever high school graduate. We have become grand parents many times over now. For the most part our adult children seem settled in their lives. It is not always easy for them, but they are doing some good things. They have taken it in stirde that their family continues to grow. It is such a great feeling when we can all get together as a family.


It is also with great joy that I look back on the many people that have come into our lives over the past ten years. People that have become friends, people that have believed in this family and what we stand for. Trusted people that have helped us with the children and who know what it is like on the inside of this family. It is not easy living in a fishbowl, but somehow we have grown accustomed to it. It is wonderful to have them in the water with us. They know who they are and I know that we love each of them.


Looking ahead, who knows. Goals, I am sure that we have many. I find great laughter in that one ongoing goal we always have is cleaning out the garage and I can honestly say that in the past ten years we have never once been able to park a van of any size in our three car, over sized garage....:o)




As I look ahead, I have no idea what the next ten years will bring. I love these words of truth, "I do not know what tomorrow holds, but I know who holds tomorrow".

Comments

Anonymous said…
You guys are awesome. Very inspiring and I'm glad I "know" you. I just recently have been reflecting on the last 10 years, it sure is overwhelming but filled with love and joy. Here's to the next 10 Roberta and family! Love ya-
Katie
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