I'm not going to share every detail because this is a heart-felt private matter, but I can say that I was moved to tears. I don't cry. Often. I cried tonight.
I have met a few people from Florida through Blogger. It is a core part of my day to check their blogs and see what they have been up to. They check mine as well. They are becoming closer than family. Really.
The package came from Tootie. Enclosed was a letter, a note and a bracelet.
The note reads: Thinking of you and wishing you a great day!
The bracelet is inscribed: "What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us - Emerson".
The letter...which I will not share all of... said this important thing: "Just let the bitterness and resentment go, because it only causes you more pain".
I cried.
My dear husband and I had a rough time in our hearts when Cody decided to leave us. It was abrupt. It was cold. It was painful. It was final.
Although Cody is "just my stepson", I loved him as my own. We spent five great years together. I think things were always good between Cody and I. We had a lot of fun. He was close to his dad as well. Closer than any of the other kids.
His moving out and shutting us out of his life was hurtful. He was given the best life we could offer. In 16 years Homer never ever did anything disrespectful to his son. In the five years I raised him, I never gave him anything less. He's decided that wasn't good enough. He left.
Tootie talked with me. Shared a bit of her past while I shared mine.
You can see someone every day and call them "friend", but are they really? I just had an experience lately where I was upset and called a girlfriend of mine to talk. A girlfriend that calls me all the time crying (sometimes hysterically) over her boyfriend. I listen. I called her (for the first time) wanting to talk about me. She didn't listen. We got disconnected. She never called back. She didn't care.
Friends are not people you see all the time. Friends are not the parents of your kids' friends. Friends are real people not fake people.
Tootie is real.
So is Tink.
So are the Snowbirds.
So is Chris.
Man, those people in Florida got it going on! :)
Thank you.
Thank you, Tootie, for coming out of no where and caring about me. I can't remember the last time someone cared about me like that without asking something in return (besides my husband). You have no idea what this means.
18 comments:
We love you, Gayle!
You know, all you can really do is keep your side of the street clean. You can't worry about someone else's or make them clean it or gawd forbid, clean it for them. If your side is clean, then you're good to go. Be at peace!
Now then, we are crawling tomorrow. Someday, you need to grab that husband of yours (or not...) and make it down here for a few adult beverages. :)
Tink *~*~*
*~*~*~*~*~*~* <=== extra pixie dust for ya
What a really touching gift, and a transparent post. I applaud your bravery for opening your heart. Your hurt is apparent. I would hug you if I could.
Take good care of you, and yours....and hopefully with time your wounds will heal.
hugs!
You've made some good friends in those Florida folk! So far I have only met one in person - and that's Tootie! She is very special to open her heart! I wish you all the best, Gayle!
Gayle...this was a very moving post, and you expressed yourself beautifully. The Florida contingent is a great one...stay connected.
Ya know, I just met some of these Florida people too--and you are right--they are great people! I am finding that blogging buddies are turning out to be really great friends too. Someone should make a study on that. Maybe it's because people who spill their guts online are more open to giving and listening.
Anyway, love the bracelet. What a beautiful, unexpected gift.
Ditto on everything Tink said.You and the husband(wee-people too,please.I just wanna hug them!)need to get your collective butts down here.NOW!!
And Tootie rocks!!!
Oh,I forgot to mention,we went thru the same thing with Michael, the Elder,AND Erich,the younger-he when he was @ U of F). Eventually,they do come around.
I would like to say thank you to Gayle's Florida's friends. She has such a good heart and obviously your words touched that heart. Thank-you for that.
Gayle keep that door open, those kids will all be back someday, maybe soon, maybe not till after they are adults, but someday.
xoxoxox
You can give, they can take, but you can't make them appreciate or value all that has been given.
Now we know Why it is so warm down there in Florida. It's because of all the kind hearts that warm the earth.
awwww, how wonderful! I am about to cry just reading it! You are one Blessed woman! :)
Gayle, I wondered about Cody...I am sorry. He is a good kid, you and Homer did a good job raising him. That will show. Peace.
Thats so sweet..Tootie does ROCK!!! :):)I had a friend like you,they wanted to tell you all their problems but when you have one they dont want to listen. We are not frinds anymore either.
You can find some of the best people on here :)
Treasure your true friends. True friends are rare. Many will be called friends but few are true.
In my life there have been many I have been friendly with and just as many who have desired my friendship to use me for some purpose. But those few who are true friends will always be held close to my heart and I would give all I have for them as I know they would do for me. True friends go beyond kindship.
This is a powerful post you have written. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Later Y'all.
That is so cool that you have such great friendships through blogger. I am sorry about Cody, keep trying to have some sort of relationship one day he will be grateful for you and your husband.
Oh bless your heart! I'm hugging you from here. Hold out for that young raskle. Sometimes we have to run away before we see what we realy have. Trust me-I know!
I think about the few folks I blogg like you. And I pray for you too! Hang in there!!!!
I'm so sorry to hear about Cody leaving. He'll come to appreciate all you and your husband have done for him and hopefully he'll come around.
We all need friends like that Florida crew!!! How nice of her to think of you and send you such nice, sentimental things in the mail.
Tootie really is a special person, and I trust her judgment, so I know that you are, too. And I love what Tink said. I have been on both sides of Cody-like problems and, as everyone is saying, time makes an amazing difference. Hang in there. Thank goodness you have your wonderful husband to lean on, and the wee ones to make you laugh.
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