The Men in my life

I have been inspired this morning. There is a very popular blog that I read daily called The Pioneer Woman. She gives away a lot of cool loot every week. Today she is giving away another of her favorite mixers. What she does is post a question and all you have to do to enter is just post something. Today, she asked "Who is your favorite man?" Oh my was I ever torn. But it did inspire me enough to write this post. I hope you enjoy it.

My dad was and still is my hero. He always, always made time for us kids. Even when he was busy tinkering with something (he loved to take things apart and put them back together) he could always stop what he was doing to listen to me. He was so patient also. He coached my brother Mike's little league baseball for years. When the concession stand at the ballpark was not able to be used (I can't remember what happened to it, So will tell us) he built a portable concession stand that he took back and forth to the ball fields. So and I worked in it and the original one for a couple of summers (I think...again, So will set me straight! His memory is better than mine). He built a treehouse for us kids. It was the coolest thing. It was not actually in a tree, it was supported by 6X6s. He built steps up and the way down was the coolest pole we slid down. There was a little wood thingy we would pull up which made it where we could slide down the pole. I will never forget the time our brother Mike slid down it and hurt his ankle or something. So and I laughed and laughed. Mike was a bit of a baby when we were small. The room of the treehouse was screened in and he even built the furniture that was in it. As a matter of fact, the last time I drove past our old house it was still there. Other children have been able to enjoy what my precious Daddy built over 40 years ago.

Dad also knew that I was born with an instant love for horses. He bartered with one of his employees at his dental office for my first pony LuckyPony. He was named Lucky because the folks who had him won him in a raffle and were keeping him in their garage. Oddly enough I actually sat next to the girl that had him a couple of years ago at a local horse auction. You can imagine my surprise to find that out!

When Dad passed away 10 1/2 years ago I was devastated. We had a tough year in 1999. My stepmother Linda, passed away in Feb 1999, my beloved Mother passed away May 3rd 1999 and Dad passed in August of that same year. Dad's was the hardest for me. Mother had ALS and had been bedridden for years. Linda had Aplastic Anemia of which there is no cure aside from a bone marrow transfer. I was fortunate enough to be with Dad in the emergency room that night and I am so grateful now for it taking so long to get his room ready. We were able to talk about everything under the sun. Things we had not talked about in years. I guess, somehow we knew it would be our last conversation.

Then there is my son Ryan. I love him so much. He has been through a lot in the last few years. Mostly of his own doing (actually ALL of his own doing) but hopefully he is on the right road now. That is up to him. He and I have been through a lot in his life. 2 divorces (the first from his father), being so poor I couldn't even afford one roll of toilet paper. But we got through it and were stronger because of it.

There is my brother Scott, but he is So to me. We have called each other that for many years. It started when we were kids and neither one of us can remember how we came up with it. There is no telling actually. So is my rock. He has been my rock my entire life. We played with trolls together, made clothes for them from felt, listened to our Dad's collection of Disney albums and read the scripts from the album cover inserts. I swear I think I could probably still recite Pollyanna in a heartbeat. I know he can. So helped me in so many ways and still does. When I was having so much trouble with Kevin, who was the boy next door (literally across the street) and how badly he treated me So helped me. I remember going to Nashville for a week when I was 16 and stayed with him and his roommates. I went to the club where Merna Turner performed using an ID from some girl from Alaska. I had no idea what to order to I had a Singapore Sling. Again I had to ask So what to order because I was clueless! The week away helped a great deal and I was finally able to put Kevin behind me. So also helped me with my hair! I hated my natural curls and was constantly trying to straighten it. I didn't have the cool straighteners that kids have now. He pin curled my hair and when I let took it out (or he did, I don't remember) it looked fabulous! There is nothing better than having a gay brother for me!

When my boyfriend kicked me out of his house in Chicago where I had moved with him So was the first person I called. He told me I was coming to Houston and that is what I did. I stayed for 13 yrs until it was time to come back home to raise my son. He is currently doing something for me that is priceless. Absolutely priceless in every way. I can't talk about it now because it is a surprise but I will soon.

I love my brother So more than I can put into words. Like I said, he is my rock, always has been and always will be.

Then there is Joe. My wonderful husband. He was my best friend for many years before we started dating. In one moment we went from being like siblings to instant love. We were on a platonic date and were dancing to "The Dance" by Garth Brooks, oddly being sung by my current boss and good friend Butch. Joe asked me if he could kiss me. I said yes and my knees buckled....literally. The rest is history. He took on a single mother with a 2 yr old and a 12 yr old and has been the best father to both of them. Even Ryan's dad (Kevin I spoke of earlier...long story) has told Joe that he was a better dad to Ryan that he was. He has taught me so many things. I have taught him so many things in the 16 yrs we have been together. He is still my best friend. He always will be. I can remember when I used to wish on the first star I saw at night. Yall know that little jingle don't you? I remember that last time I wished on a star. I was sitting on our (mine and Joe's) front porch when I realized I already had what I had been wishing for so many years. It was Joe. I knew right then the last name that would be on my tombstone. It still makes me smile to this day.

I am a lucky girl to have had so many wonderful men in my life. I am forever grateful to them all.