Talk about game-changers, Courtney's mom was my first girl cousin. I was 8 and I had more brother's and boy cousins than I knew what to do with. Somewhere along the way though Courtney's mom ,Lee, became the sister I always wanted. Our Daddys were brother's from a family of 5 boys in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Over the years the love my Grandmother Knight embraced for her boys and later her grandchildren became a reservoir of fond memories and fierce closeness. We are all very proud of our roots and it has led to relationships with cousins much more closely resembling siblings.
As Courtney and her two sisters were born, Mike and I were trying very hard to have even more kiddos than the four we got when we blended our families. This proved not to be, but once again I found my joy in the family that always defined me while growing up.
My sister-in-love, Lee, generously shared her daughters with Mike and I and that gave birth to...Camp Nancy! Each summer for over ten years Lee's 3 and their cousin Jennifer would accompany us on road trips, weeks at our home in Colorado, Houston or Lake LBJ. We even did a trip to London when Courtney was a Senior.
To say they brought us joy is to only touch the tip of the iceberg. I have witnessed family through four separate generations now, and with the birth of Kate Wilkinson and then Waverley Anne Stroupe last December, the future has arrived in the form of this fifth generation.
I know how much my grandmother loved her 4 precious granddaughters...oh, and her grandsons to be certain! But had she known she would get 9 great granddaughters and 5 great, great granddaughters so far - well her cup would have overflowed in the only way she ever prayed it would... WITH FAMILY!
And you couldn't be a descendant of Nora Ethel Thompson Knight, 18 August 1892 - 4 November 1974 without knowing that.
Whether you gave birth to, grew up in or work to maintain a strong family, I hope you thank God and know that of which I speak. I hope Kate,Wavy, Addy, Lanie, Grace and all the future KNIGHTS will know the love of being from a family built on God... and Granny! I love you Granny, I love you Lee and Courtney and we can't wait to love YOU - Grace Elizabeth Atwood!
No comments:
Post a Comment