My Own Little Division of Hallmark

This time of year, the time when cards sing the praises of perfect mothers and ever present fathers, inspires the inner greeting card writer in me. If I were to create my own division of Hallmark it would be called:  Reality - Sentiments for the Dysfunctional Family:). 

My selection of cards would read something like this:

Mom

You worked two jobs for as long as I can remember,

raised us on your own with no help from family or friends. 

I honestly don't know how you did it.

And though I cried many a morning when you had to leave before dawn,

I will be forever grateful that you came home after long days, made us dinner and then tickled us, and tucked us in every night.

Life has been harder on you than most, it seems, and though it knocked you down and out a few too many times, I know you loved me and I'm grateful for that.

Thanks for letting me lick the beater and climb into bed when the nightmares seemed too real, for giving me freedom to roam and play, and for sending me to church camp when I was twelve.

I love you, Mom, Happy Mother's Day.

Dad

I wish that I remembered living with you.

I wish you had kissed my cheek every night before bed

and scared away the boogie man while I slept.

I wish you had been there to scare away bad boyfriends

and to set a curfew for me,

but I know now that every other weekend is a lot for many dads to commit to,

and you were faithful to the end.

Thanks for ski trips and diamond earrings, princess dresses and great hugs. And thanks for dreaming big.

I love you, Dad, thanks for loving me.

StepMom (now ex)

While we may not have met under the best circumstances,

I'm glad you came into my life.

You were so young, too young for a 3 and 5 year old,

but you taught me about beauty and enjoying life in the moment, from you I learned to enjoy photography and gourmet cooking, I watched you put on make-up and delighted in the birth of my sisters.

I'm sorry for how things ended up, it was so painful to have my family split again,

but I don't know what title to call you now. So you're still, and always, stepmom - thanks for filling in the gaps.

I love you, Lori, thanks for loving me.

(ex)StepDad 

I used to call you Anti-Christ (not to your face of course). You were always kind to me,

but I hated you for how you treated my brother and my mom and for what you did to my home. 

I want you to know that I don't hate you anymore. 

I forgive you.

Wherever you are in the world, Happy Father's Day.

Thanks for the kindnesses you showed to me.

And to the Father of all fathers and mothers I say Happy Mother's and Father's Day!

You were there when my parents couldn't be, when they didn't know to be. You walked with me through my darkest days and comforted me through many tears, you brought joy and peace and blessing when I didn't believe they would come.

And thank you for the grace I need as I live out my own dysfunctional life as a mom. Though my kids may need a few years of therapy one day, I cling to your words that "love covers over a multitude of sins," and that "love never fails." Thank you for the truth of those words that I've felt in my own life and thank you that I can have faith that they will be enough for my children as well.

I love you, thank you so much for loving me.