TrulyBlessed

I have heard my fair share of "horror" stories about terrible mother-in-laws and/or father-in-laws. It is certainly portrayed that way on television, the in-laws are always a pain or a nag or insufferable. I think that is the wrong kind of portrayal, it certainly makes an impression that this is the standard. Maybe we should be more willing to open our mind, after all when we marry someone, we are instantly connected to the rest of the family, for better, for worse, until death do us part.

Through all the terrible stories I have always kept an open mind. Maybe that's why my mother-in-law, Diane, and father-in-law are so special to me. I had no preconceived notion about in-laws, my standard was not set. So not only did I get a wonderful husband, I got adopted into his wonderful family with open arms. I am truly blessed.

My mother in law, Diane, or as I have come to call her, Ms. Diane, is such an amazing woman. Moral to her core and compassionate towards those she loves. She is a woman who stands her ground and is not easily swayed in her opinions on, well, just about everything really. When I married her son, when I started dating her son for that matter, I was always completely welcome, I always felt welcome. She did not look at me as the woman who was going to steal her son away, but rather, as the daughter she never had. Having two sons and a husband, being completely surrounded by testosterone, she enjoyed having a chance to have a girl around the house and later, as I've said, willing to accept me as a "daughter". How lucky am I?

When I express my problems or fears or anger to Diane, she always listens, without judgement. She is an expert advise giver, so if I am particularly unhappy about something, I know I can listen to her and see the wisdom with which she speaks. She doesn't even get upset when I complain about her son, amazing isn't it? She is smart as a whip, so taking her advise is easily done. She hasn't steered me wrong yet. Not only that, but I have to mention how much fun she is. For instance, for Halloween she dressed up as Abbey from N.C.I.S., one of her favorite shows on TV. Can I tell you, she nailed it, 100% for sure, pigtails and all, clothes, attitude, accessories, everything. She also dressed me up as the devil. To me, that is just way cool.

Shaun and I have been married for 9+ years now and I am proud to say I have never had a conflict with Diane that we couldn't get over. Of course, being we speak our minds freely to each other, we have had the occasional hurt feeling, more on my part, but hey, I can live with that. Point being, we have never said anything or done anything to make our relationship irrepairable. Shaun and I keep no secrets from his mother, she knows every facet of our life together. From our complaints or general hissy fits about each other, to the things we are most proud of in our live together. Being open and honest with someone is always a good way to keep the air clear. I believe that is especially true in my case.

I've always known that I can lean on Diane's shoulder if I ever need to. She crys when we cry, laughs when we laugh and is completely supportive of us, in whatever decisions we make. You see, as a family, we've had our fair share of tragedy, Shaun's little brother, Diane's youngest son, Casey, was killed by a drunk driver at the tender age of 20, we have always been there for one another, to lean on, or to sometimes even carry. I believe this was the hardest thing I've gone through in my life so far. I tried to be strong for Diane and Tim and Shaun, but sometimes it felt like I lost a brother too, Diane never forgot that, and she was always there for me. The only good that came out of this tragedy was that it brought us, as a family, closer together, instantly, overnight. Talk about strong, Diane handled the loss of her son with the utmost strength and what I can only define as bravery. She is truly an outstanding woman.

Diane is always looking for things she thinks we would like, t-shirts, candles, concert tickets, etc. If she goes on a trip, or if she is just out shopping she sometimes looks for "prizes" she knows we would like (She has impeccable taste too). And I love that I often get more "prizes" than Shaun. Of course, it's not the prize that matters the most to me, it's that she was thinking about me or us during the course of her day. Diane and I talk almost every day and often you will find me and Shaun at his parents house for dinner or to hang out, or both. We are always welcome, I am always welcome, I often show up unannounced just to drop by and say hey. Now, you tell me, am I truly blessed or what?