Family Ties – My Friend, My Family – Janine

When I think of Janine and the person that she is, I come up with the words patient, calm and maybe a little bit quirky. I only really started to interact on a consistent basis with her about two years ago when my dad started to date her, but ever since she has done a stand up job at trying to be as involved in my life as I would like to her to be.

It’s weird sometimes to think that she is my dad’s wife because in all honesty I consider her a friend of mine rather then a step mom. And I think she has always understood this and in return been a friend back to me. However when it comes to being a mom, this woman is top notch at it. I’ve never seen someone who is so calm with her children even when they go at her and get crazy like young children do. She loves with every bit of her heart and she makes an effort to be there for them in anyway she can all the time. On top of that it seems as if she tries her best to understand where they are coming from rather then just her own opinion and because of that I think they all have a much stronger relationship.

Janine has been through a lot. I won’t go into any specifics, but let me tell you, she has seen her fair share of hardships. Yet, if you met her today, you would never know it. She is such a resilient woman. She took these times of pain and anguish and learned from them instead of sulking in the problem. She is someone who looks at the positive side of life and someone who is willing to learn from any lesson whether it is easily taught or not. She has weathered many storms in her life, yet she treated each one as best as she could at the time and moved on when she was ready to. In fact, it is because of the way she deals with suffering that I am always reminded to keep looking at the light on the other side of the tunnel, especially these past two years.

Janine is loving. She is a mother at heart and because of it she is always looking out for everybody. She is someone who constantly checks up on others to make sure they are doing ok. In  a way you could also call her selfless. She often puts everyone else she loves right ahead of herself, no matter what she is dealing with. I know that is no easy task, and the fact that she still does it makes me all the more proud to know her and be in her life. Plus, it is this love that allows her to always accept people for exactly who they are. She does her best to never try to change them, while still offering advice to someone in desperate need of change.

Janine is open. If your lucky enough to know her, then you will realize that she is a person that offers her whole self up to others. I’m not saying she doesn’t keep anything to herself. I’m saying that she lets you know who she is, the good and the bad and because of it, most people will always feel comfortable to share themselves and what they might be going through with her. This is also added by that fact that she doesn’t judge others easily. Instead she looks back on her own life and the troubles she has put others through and instead offers up understanding rather then judgment. It is a special quality that most people can never control but when I think back to all the conversations with her, I find that she has always done her best to listen and understand, rather then to talk and judge.

Which brings me to care and generosity. Janine heart is a different bread altogether. All the qualities I have just said make most of it, but they don’t describe the way she impacts people’s lives. Haven’t met one person yet who could honestly say they haven’t been touch by this woman in some way. I know I’m not describing it to well, but to be perfectly honest its hard to even put into words the way she feels about others. She will push you to reach the limits of your potential, or she will sit with you for hours and just let you work through a hurtful time in your life. And that’s just it, she is the type of person, who if you need it, will just sit there and be there for you for sitting sake. It’s this generosity of her heart and her valuable time that makes her stand out from most people and I think my dad is quite lucky to have found someone who so freely takes care of all his needs and wants.

Now Janine may be all these heartfelt and profound things, but don’t get me wrong, she is a very smart and capable person too. Talk about a small case of rags to riches. This is a person who started at a company as just another secretary doing the simple and mundane job that it is. However instead of doing the duties asks, she went above and beyond and in a relatively short time went all the way up to be one of top salesmen of the company, and manager over all the marketing material. Only people who can truly understand and be patient with others can make such a leap and pull in as much business as she did for her qualifications. With these talents, she was able to actually buy her own house for her and her two kids. As the recession hit hard, she was forced scale back and just let my dad take the financial reins, but I have no doubt that when things calm down and stabilize that her talents will take her much further then this last position. She was made to interact with others and even to possibly serve them in many different ways.  I’m not sure, but I hope such a special gift won’t be wasted when it’s her time to shine once again.

As for now she is content being a loving mother and funny person. Her jokes may be a bit over the top sometimes haha, but the fact is she always puts smiles on the faces of those around her and I think it’s that humor that keeps her going even in these harsh times where nothing is for sure and everyday is tougher then the last. She lifts the spirits of my Dad in these hard times as well. Actually, I honestly think she saved my dad in so many ways over the past two years, that I am confident he will be able to weather this storm he is being hit by and come out back on top. And that’s the thing, My Dad has also had some tough times over the past two years like her, but because of their love for each other each has found a way to see the light of day once again and both have given up all of themselves to each other and their kids.

I want to end with something I want her to know. I never wanted my Dad and Mom to split up. We were a family and no matter how bad it got, family still meant something to me. Yet, as I look at my family now and what it has evolved too, I wouldn’t wish to ever go back to what it was. I know when my mom is ready she will find love again. But as for as my Dad goes, he truly found someone who loves all of him and she looks at him as her knight and shining armor. She makes him feel like a million bucks and he could of never survived without her. She was the perfect fit to his broken heart and now she’s the unshakeable and incorruptible blood that flows through it and makes it the beautiful and pure thing that it is.

Janine is… An Example, A Role Model, A Teacher, A Believer, A Giver, A Saint, A Beauty, A Loving Wife, A Strong Mother, An Unmistakably Generous Person, Someone Who Loves, Someone Who Hopes, Someone Who Cherishes Others, Someone Who Is Always There For You. Someone Smart, Someone Competent, Someone Special….

Like I said, I have only known her for a short time, but as you can tell she has had a big impact on me and the way I look at others and the world. With her as yet another example in my life, I am happy to say I will go even further.

She may be new to my life, but she is My Friend and My Family and these are words I couldn’t be more proud to write…

Tomorrow, I will be talking about who I am. I often tell you who I want to be and the lessons I am learning to get there. But I think you need to see how I currently still see myself so you will be able to understand just how far I have come and am going. So stick around.

Thanks for Reading.