It's so much fun to be with my family. I am talking about my sisters, my brothers, and my, dearest-of-darlings, in-laws. I am one blessed woman when it comes to having a wealth of beautiful, interesting, intelligent, witty characters as my siblings (and I count my dearest-of-darlings in-laws as my siblings too).

Oh, we can laugh and cry, joke and jive, sing and pray, and all sorts of opposites and sames all in one sitting. Now, a sitting may be hours and hours and will include some standing and maybe some lying around, most certainly  eating of some very tasty food  but, all in all, it's always an adventure when we come together.

Tonight, we attended a sort of pitch-in, candlelight, dinner/ Christmas show and entertainment extravaganza at our church. Not all of us sat at the same table but many of us did. However, before the night was over, we Lockharts had at last congregated together at one table sharing stories and laughs about children, grandchildren, parents, cousins, uncles, aunts, and each other. It really was hard to leave such a place of contentment, of such pleasure, and of such witty wisdom. None-the-less, we all had to part ways and go to our own homes. But, just as I took a piece of each of them with me in my heart, they each took a piece of me and of each other in theirs.

Our parents, Amos and Daisy Lockhart, are the reason we have such love and camaraderie between us. It was their love of and faith in God, their love of and faith in each other, and, finally, their love of and faith in their children, each one of us, that has resulted in our closeness and admiration of one another. I can't think of a better friend than any one of my siblings.

This is no poem. This is just an expression of my heart-felt gratitude to my parents for loving and caring for me and to God for placing me in such a wonderful family. I guess this is a counting of my blessings essay.

My blessings started the day I was born and have continued every day with each new friend, experience, and opportunity I am given to grow and to love.
I am truly thankful for my life and for all those who have shown me love and even to those who haven't. Why? Because I learn from them. I have learned endurance, patience, and perseverance.

Just as I started this little essay with the subject of my family, I will end it with the same. Family is who, what, and how you make it. Be a good family member no matter who you are, where you go, or who you are with. Family begins and ends with life's lessons. Learn them well.

Kathy Lockhart
12/9/07