T H U R S D A Y

T H I R T E E N

1. Michael: My rock. The one I can count on for anything. The one who knows me the best, and the one that protects everything that is our family. He knows that I love him “More” and plays like he loves me more, but he knows that he can’t possibly. He may be the rock, the provider, the everything, but I’m the one that loves him more.
2. My Parents: They don’t even know how much I love them. I bet they think that I was running away from them. Ultimately, though, I believe they understand that life is about sacrifice. They’ve made quite a few over their lifetime. The means totally justified the ends; that’s why I believe they know that the sacrifices we have made by moving away from “home” are for the greater good of our family.
3. Mikey: Mr. Sensitive with a rough edge. God, this kid is something else. He’s so deep, such an old soul, and a pleasure to raise. While we butt heads, we get each other. He gets my humor, and I try to get him. Speaking of butts….we share the family genes. We fart when we laugh and we laugh when we fart!
4. Olivia: Always trying to please, this girl wears her heart on her sleeve. That’s not entirely her personality, though. She’s a tough cookie, a smart cookie, and a sweet cookie. I have to watch out though, because she’s got her father’s silver tongue. Wooodoggy! That girl can cut you in half with a few words. Good, maybe we won’t have to use the shotgun on those gentleman callers; the sword-like tongue in the brilliant head on the firm shoulders are entirely enough!
5. Benny: A million quirks all rolled into one little boy who won’t eat anything green to save his life (I take that back, he might eat something green for—oh—a Hot Wheel). He’s possibly the smartest out of the bunch, but he doesn’t boast the genius. He keeps it tucked away, but is known to pull it out at the oddest of times. He’s sweet, lovable and can curl up next to you so tightly, that you’d think he was a part of you. His kisses are sweet, even though he still wipes mine away. He’s not ready for broccoli yet. I’m giving him time, though. After all, he just got “into” apples!
6. Davey: This baby has turned me inside out. I’m a new mother because of him, and I thank him with my hugs, kisses, and hair tussles. There’s something to be said for having one baby, and being in the third decade of life. He’s preciousness embodied.
7. My Grandparents: The unconditional love they have shown me is limitless. I am their firstborn grandchild and they’ve always taken pride in that. I fear their loss, but know it is inevitable.
8. Regina: My Mother-in-law. I’ve never met someone that is just so real. Well, maybe her son. It’s unbelievable how she just understands. I love and respect that about her.
9. Pauline, my cousin: My closest relative (My “BCF”–Best Cuz Forever); she and I have only ever fought once, and it involved chocolate cream pie, a Forenza outfit, and another cousin’s graduation party. Forgiveness was quick. After all, we couldn’t go through the summer without a sleepover and a swim with Teta Holaja!
10. Maureen: Fate put us in each other’s path, and there’s no way to explain the kindred spiritedness I feel for her. I question that there was ever a time without her. She just gets me, and I love that!
11. Shelley: Another friend that sticks by me. We may not talk often, but we love each other dearly.
12. Dedo Mihailo: “Macedonian religious leader who, as the scholarly archbishop of Ohrid and Macedonia (1993–99), was head of the independent Orthodox Church of Macedonia and a fierce advocate of Macedonian independence from Yugoslavia and from the Serbian Orthodox Church.” He befriended me when he visited our church in the 1993 and Michael and I were extremely lucky to have been blessed by him, before our marriage, in September 1995. He rests in peace now and is one person whom I would love to see again.
13. You: Thank you for being here, for reading my words, for viewing my images, for learning about me, and for never passing any judgment. The relationship we share is special and I cherish it. Whether you know me in real life, or not, I’m glad you come here.

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 19th, 2008 at 1:58 pm and is filed under General, Thursday Thirteen. You can follow any comments to this post through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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