When I was a little girl growing up in a family that had many problems, including mental illness, all I ever wanted was to meet a prince and be taken to a home with a "white picket fence".
For me the picket fence represented everything that my parents didn't have. Someone to share love with. Someone to do things with. Someone that would always be there and someone to raise a family with. Some one that could provide for us too.
My mother and father had love, I can see that now because they are still together long after 50 years. Because of my fathers mental illness, he never wanted to do anything with mom or us kids. When I was a little girl I begged mom to divorce dad so that she could marry someone that would take care of us and her. I know that was wrong now, but as a child - you look for any way out of a bad situation that you can find. To me, my mother is a saint for taking care of him all these years. That takes great strength and courage.
And of course that someone that could provide. My dad only worked when he wanted to and never worked after his low to mid forties ~ at least he quit drinking around that age too. My mom supported us the best she could. Us kids all worked, all in all it taught us to be who we are today. Unfortunately our younger brother, the baby, acquired the mental illness with a vengeance and has been institutionalized since his mid thirties ~ but that is another story.
Getting back to the white picket fence. My husband and I celebrated out thirtieth wedding anniversary last week. I look back at how blessed I am to have him and know that he is my "white picket fence". He came and rescued me when I needed it and we have been rescuing each other ever since. He is a wonderful father, loving husband and a provider that goes beyond the call of duty.
Now don't get me wrong, we have had numerous financial difficulties, but God always provides at the right time and we get by.
For every door that closes, another door opens. We are starting over again - I don't even want to count how many times we have had to do that, but we are doing it together!
We have been blessed with a large family that continues to grow everyday!
I want to take this time to thank God for all the wonderful gifts that He has given me ~ especially for my "white picket fence". AMEN.
