You might be a Hadden if...

Over the years my Dad has taught me many lessons, but none more important than the value of FAMILY.  He has also shown me that with a great family also comes a great responsibility.  A responsibility that until lately I didn't accept… My heart wasn't trying to be irresponsible but it seems that “life-stuff” just always got in the way and I didn't take the time to make that extra effort. 

I am blessed because some of my earliest and fondest memories are the countless days spent with my cousins making up adventures and playing in the creek behind my grandmother’s house..  It wasn't a big house and I don’t even know how we all fit in it, but it was always open and full of love to each and every one of us…  If I close my eyes and think real hard I can almost remember some of the make believe adventures we embarked upon and feel the rocks and prickly balls that were thrown during a pretend “war”.  We had no worries and my cousins were my best friends – I couldn't imagine my life without them in it.. We planned weddings and vacations and houses right next door to each other.. but as we grew and got farther and farther apart we drifted away..

This all came home to me a couple of weeks ago when I received the call that my 94 year old Grandmother, otherwise known as MawMaw, was in the hospital after having a stroke. I am not close to my grandmother – I am ashamed to admit that over the years I usually only see her at Christmas.  As I drove to the hospital I felt guilty for not going to see her when she was at home – when I walked in and saw my Dad sitting in the chair next to her bed – it hit me like a knife. My dad is one of the strongest, most determined, giving and loving men you will ever meet -  he isn't perfect but his heart is always sincere in his actions and this was his MOTHER and at no time are we prepared to lose our Mothers.

She didn't wake up while my son and I were there and the news from the Doctor didn't seem very hopeful, but did say that the best thing for her was to keep family and friends coming to visit.  You could see the pain and fear in the eyes of my father and his sister... and even though I didn't see them personally I am sure that the same look was in the eyes of his brothers.

This past Saturday we went to see her at the nursing home and she looked up when I walked into the room and the look of recognition and happiness on her face made me tear up – There was no judgment for the times I didn't come before only happiness that I was there today. I saw my Dad in her eyes like I have never seen before and it scared and thrilled me at the same time.  Scared because all of our time is limited and thrilled because that strong, determined, giving, and loving bloodline was passed down to me and each of my siblings and cousins… I am proud of my heritage.  I am also very aware that I don’t have to talk to each of you every day to know that when the time comes you have my back.  Not every family can say that with the confidence that we can. 

I know that some have gone to see her and some have plans to go – but if you haven't been I wanted to take this time to challenge not just you but myself as well to take the time to go and see MawMaw –Life is busy and it isn't a “pretty place” to visit but, she is the reason each of us are here and have the life’s we lead – I can’t remember her asking me for anything in my entire life and right now she needs US – all of us to stop what we are doing  and let her know we haven’t forgotten her and we are here for her.   

For those of you that are fortunate enough to marry to the family, you might not be "blood" but you are family and we love passionately and are loyal to a fault.