Statistics show that 50 percent of marriages end in divorce, and if you get married a second time, the chances of divorce raise to 67 percent, and if you are married a third time, the chances raise to 73 percent. We live in a world where divorce is becoming more common and not looked at as a bad thing. It is now considered the best and easiest route to take. In some cases, divorce must happen because it is better for the person physically or emotionally, but either way, it happens and life goes on, adding new challenges.
As a child, my parents divorced when I was 4 years old. It is actually more common when I talk to people to hear that their parents are divorced before I hear of a family staying together. This isn't the worst thing that has happened to me and I don't want it to seem that way. God blessed me with a wonderful stepmom and family that came along with her.
At 5 years old, a woman who eventually became my "stepmom" came into my life and decided to be my mom. She made the decision to take care of me, pick me up from school, feed me, do my laundry, and much, much more. This woman made a choice, an absolute choice to come into my life. I wasn't her child, she had no responsibility for a kid, but she took me into her open arms and helped raise me into who I am today.
Along with her, she brought a strong family. I now had new grandparents, aunts, cousins, and friends, who would end up making the same choice -- they would love me like their own and treat me like I was family because I now was to them.
My new family didn't have to love me but they did. I am so grateful and blessed for the impact they had on shaping me and getting me through this life. Because of them, I now have a relationship with God that is unbreakable. They raised me with strong views about what is wrong and right and how to live a considerable good life. They supported me when I wanted to travel to Israel this past summer, and even though there were fears, they let me do it for God's greater purpose. God gave me them but because of this family, I know who God is and that he has a greater purpose for me.
Because of my family, I have learned the true meaning of family. Silly family traditions come and go and change every year because with us we never keep the same schedule. But that’s OK -- it has just proved to me that no matter what is going on -- you make it work around your family because they are the ones that are there for you. They were there for me in the hardest time of my life, they were there for me when I got my first black eye, they were there for me when I didn't place in the pageant, and they were there when I won the next pageant. They never left my side, no matter the circumstances.
Because of my family, I was able to be criticized when I needed to hear it most. Reading this they will probably say that I am the most stubborn person ever, especially when it comes to pointing out something I did wrong, but what they say has actually lasted with me my whole life. The good, the bad, the advice that lead me to be a hard-working college kid who takes every opportunity she can.
Because of my family, I am able to be the person God has called me to be.
Thank you to my family for loving me through some of the roughest years of my life, thank you for sticking by me and putting up with the sassiness even though you didn't have to -- you chose to and I am forever grateful for your love and support.
I know you didn't have to love me, but you did.
Words from the "step" daughter.
