Examples

Through my whole life, I've been blessed with these amazing people to look up to. These remarkable examples.

Of course, if I were to tell these people this, they most likely would think I was being silly, or tell me I'm wrong, and brush it off (Humble, too!).

My parents are two that should automatically go to the top of the list. I have never met two people who set a better example of an individual, or a unit.

Then there are my friends. I have no idea how I deserved to meet so many amazing people. I can't even begin to list all of them. They, hopefully, know who they are. And, know how much they mean to me.

My Grandparents, who again are amazing on their own, but have an uncanny ability to work together, and to set an example to all of their family. Nothing is easy, and they have had their fair share of trials, but they have shown me, and I know several other people, that nothing should be given up. Everything is worth fighting for.

Then there is my sister -my best friend. I'm so silly, because even typing this I get all "glassy eyed". I have had friends, and even now I have best friends, that I know will always be there for me, but Bre has always been there for me. There was never a moment where she seemed unavailable, or unconcerned with my life. In fact, she was always the opposite. She always asks questions, and encourages me, and wants me to talk to her. She's interested. Do you know how long you can go through life looking for a friend that listens? That doesn't tune you out after they've heard all the good stuff? She's never tuned me out, in fact she joins in my craziness, most of the time. I've never had more fun with someone in my whole life, than I have with her. We fight, of course. Who doesn't? But, even our fights don't go unresolved. We don't brush them off, and forget them; even when we seem to. We learn something new about each other every time, we adjust. TRUE FRIENDSHIP! Even now, I don't quite understand how she even has the time of day for me. She has been constantly, since we set foot inside our new home in Michigan, looking for a job. Calling people, getting things organized. Having morning sickness, afternoon sickness, and evening sickness, not to mention just being pregnant-period. She's been tired, but ignores it, to chase around her one-year-old, to do homework with her eight-year-old, to get coffee, and shop with her sister, and laugh our heads off all day long, then to spend evenings -after the boys go to bed- with her hubby. How does she do it?
She sets an example that I know I'll never be able to live up to, but I can always try.
She lets me say whatever I want, and corrects me gently when I'm wrong. She knows my sense of humor, and gets my jokes. She is incredibly intelligent, and I don't think I tell her that enough. She has amazing insight. When we talk about things: movies, music, politics, religion- I always find whatever she has to say so interesting, and usually find myself quoting her later to my friends, when we bring up the same issues. I always feel so much smarter after I talk to her, she's caused my brain -don't laugh- to grow a lot, to make me see and think differently than I ever would have, had I not had her as my sister.
Her and Paul (the latest edition to my Examples list), are -like my Grandparents, and Parents- such an amazing unit. Nothing, and I mean nothing, not one single thing has been easy for them, their entire married life, but aside from the normal, and sometimes silly 'arguments' they don't show it. They laugh, and joke. They love each other, they play with their kids, and talk about the future. They set goals, and help and encourage each other to reach them. They take the time to show an interest in my life. I have no idea why. They ask me to hang out, and include me in so much. They are so selfless. I don't know if I would be able to act how they do after going through what they have.

So, if you read this, please know that I notice what you guys do. And, how much you've gone through, and I notice how you handle it.

Thank you for being such amazing examples in my life.

All of you!

-Katie