It’s been a while since I’ve written anything, and I know my previous post “Terrible … ”, may have led you to believe that I have the “wicked step-parents” for in-laws, but that couldn’t be further from the truth, and I feel the need to set the record straight.

In fact, when I turned 18 and graduated from from high school, my then someday-to-be-in-laws, let me rent out a room at their house when I was having problems at home with my parents. They had also lived closer to the college I wanted to attend, so it was helpful in more ways than one.

My mother-in-law was the one that went to doctor appointments with me over the course of several months when I was really sick and eventually diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. She also paid for and made all of the flower arrangements and centerpieces for our wedding.

After we were married, my husband’s parents not only helped us physically as we moved out of state but financially as well. After Gage was born, my in-laws helped us purchase our first home, and they flew up and stayed with us for 2 weeks to help us adjust to life with a newborn. They’ve helped us with odds & ends around the house ranging from yard work to flooring to painting.

My in-laws are always there should we need anything, including childcare. My mother-in-law watches the kids quite regularly for us. These are just a handful of ways they’ve been a blessing to us over the years. Wayne & I are totally indebted to them with our appreciation.

I just think that either they don’t understand boundaries or we haven’t clearly set them, but they’re wonderful and loving people. I know how much they love us & how much they love their grandkids. A week rarely goes by when they don’t see the kids at least once. They are devoted grandparents. Maybe that’s why I had such a hard time fathoming that they wouldn’t know how they were hurting us or that they could be so blind to Chris being different. They do say that love is blind. Maybe that applies here.

I do believe that they’ve come to open their eyes in the past couple of months. My mother-in-law & I had a much-needed heart-to-heart the day after I wrote “Terrible . . ”, in which afterward we cried, hugged, and I believe grew in our relationship as we sorted out misunderstandings & misconceptions. Later, when we dealt with rejection from the church that we all attend[ed] (more on that to come), they were right there with us. When my brother-in-law got married over the summer, I watched as my father-in-law tried to get Chrissy to dance with him out on the dance floor.

“Other things may change us, but we start and end with family.” - Anthony Brandt





I love this quote & I believe in it. That’s why I’m so grateful that I’ve been blessed with the one that I have. Things aren’t always easy with family, but it’s extremely comforting knowing we’ll always have one another. In this world problems can get heavy and it can feel lonely. It’s good to know we’re not alone.