It has been a busy few months for my family....my sister got married in May and my brother got married last weekend. With all the parties and planning, weddings involve, I really haven't had a chance to absorb the fact that my brother and sister have begun to start their own families. Being the oldest sister I was always kind of motherly to them both...I always feel extra proud of what they have both become. Even though both Lindsey and Tyler could not have found a better life partner in Steven and Amanda...this has been a difficult milestone for the old sister! Were we not just living in the New Holland house playing in the life size dollhouse out back and Lindsey were we not just bringing Tyler to tears calling him "stinky poo with the torn up foot" because he always had stinky diapers and a hole in his favorite footy pajamas? Were we not just living at the Lula house playing "wedding and school" and forcing Tyler to participate? Were we not just creating Christmas plays and dance recitals and songs about every vacation we took? Were we not just at the Highlands house trying to convince Lindsey that she could not have every cat she saw!? Were we not just helping Grandma and Pop in the garden and riding on the pontoon with Grandpa and Grandma? What about the trips to the tree farm and getting to swim in the indoor pool in the middle of winter!!? Were we not just...I could go on and on with memories of growing up. I have been blessed beyond measure to be able to look back and remember all the times my sister and brother and I shared growing up! Where have all those times gone? Sometimes I stop and think about those memories and wish just for a moment I had those times back...but than I realize it is because of those memories I am who I am today. My mom and dad were a vital part in creating the memories I had with my brother and sister. Lindsey and Tyler's marriages this year have been bittersweet in the fact that I am having to let go of my little sister and brother into the hands of someone else, but to see them so extremely happy puts me at peace! And now our Dunagan memories can be shared with the McDowell's, Beekman's, and Hulsey's! Not only that, but Lindsey, Tyler, and I can now begin creating all of those wonderful memories we had with our new families. I already find myself creating traditions with Britt and Maeve that my mom and dad did with us. So will we spend this Christmas Eve all sleeping in the same room watching "White Christmas"? No. Will we all even be in the same state Christmas Eve? Probably not. Will I be thinking about all those Christmas Eve's Grandpa read "Twas the night before Christmas" to the three of us? Yes I will. I will always think about those memories of my childhood. Now that my role has changed, my new Christmas Eve memories consist of making sure Britt has all of "Santa's" gifts put together for Maeve! So as Lindsey and Tyler begin to create new memories with their families I will continue to do the same with mine. So my goal now is to make sure I bring my childhood memories to my family. Britt and I want Maeve, and her soon to be baby brother, to have the memories we both so closely cherish from our childhood. So here's to not letting go of those memories, but making sure they continue as the Dunagan family grows! So to my brother and sister...make new memories!! I am looking forward to all the new memories our growing family will make. I wish you both all the happiness in the world! To my new brother and sister, Steven and Amanda, you add so much to our family and as if you didn't already know...you married two very special people!! I couldn't have hand picked two better people to take care of my brother and sister. To Mama and Papa, thank you for being the role models you are and for making it all possible. Only God knows where he wants the family of Steven and Lindsey McDowell and Tyler and Amanda Dunagan to make memories, but we all know where it started. I love you all!!
A man travels the world over in search of what he needs, and returns home to find it. ~George Moore
To our growing families...
The Hulsey's established April 3, 2004
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From the day we arrive on the planet
And, blinking, step into the sun
There's more to see than can ever be seen
More to do than can ever be done
There's far too much to take in here
More to find than can ever be found
But the sun rolling high
Through the sapphire sky
Keeps great and small on the endless round
It's the Circle of Life
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the Circle.
The Circle of Life
It's The Circle of Life
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the Circle
The Circle of Life--The Lion King
Every time I read this I cry all over again. I think for anyone who had such an amazing childhood with a close knit family, adapting to all the new changes and letting go of some things is definitely bittersweet. No matter how wonderful things are now, there's always a hint of sadness in reminiscing on wonderful things that you can't ever go back to. Like when you married, as much as I love Britt I remember being upset that we would no longer share the same last name. And you can ask Steven, there are times still where I have evenings where I cry because I am homesick. Not homesick in the sense that I want to see everybody, but homesick in the sense of missing the security of it being the 5 of us and not even having to question whether or not we will all be together every holiday, every vacation, every special occasion. But none of those feelings overshadow the greater picture that is, yes we were and are blessed beyond measure. And the goodness and love that filled our family growing up has now only been expanded and multiplied. And how great is it that our kids will grow up, much like we did, with a network of Aunts and Uncles who love and support each other and will ALWAYS be a part of each other's lives. I have always been proud and impressed of who my brother and sister are and I feel the same way about the people they chose to marry. Goodness attracts goodness.
I only pray that I will raise my children to love and protect each other and that they realize the blessing and bond that is unique to siblings. I love you!
I love watching you all start your own family traditions. The circle will not be broken.
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