Thanks Stacy!

Post date: Dec 11, 2010 3:25:11 AM

I recently stayed with my cousin Stacy in Maricopa, AZ. Boy did I have a great time! I was blown away by a lot of things while I was there. How nice AZ is in the winter time, how great it is to live in CA, and how much I didn't know my cousin and her family!

I was staying with Stacy, I will leave it blank what her last name is so if she wants to remain mainly anonymous she can, at her house in Maricopa with her and her awesome family. Let me say, I have been close to Stacy for some time in my life, probably closer with her than with other cousins mostly due to our age and common interests in the past. I will start with some things I didn't know about Stace: she is a SUPER committed mom, an incredibly responsible adult person, and an amazing wife. I say these things about her because I didn't know how much she had really grown into an amazing person, the kind everyone knew was in there even when she was not so convinced herself.

During my glimpse into her life I saw things I really can hold onto and attempt to implement in my life. For instance, she does what some would think is more than her fair share of work at home and with the kids and she never complains; not even for a second about her problems. She does tell me about how she wishes her husband could have some more time not at work. When she talks about this though it is not from a point of view describing how she is upset by his work schedule and the negative impact it has on their lives. She instead tells me about how she wished it was easier for him and he wouldn't have to spend so much time on his feet. He is an Executive Chef at a restaurant in Phoenix and works at least 12 hours per day, five days a week. What really inspires me about both of them is the lack of suffering that exists in their lives. What I mean is there is no wasted time on complaining about "what if" or "what should be", they both realize they have limited time and need to make good use of what they get. I was really moved by how both my Cousin and her husband lived life with gratitude for where they were and appreciation for better things to come in the future without "worry" or fixation on their future; it seemed to me they were really in the present and in doing so they could really be present. I'm not sure if this is coming across the correct way, this is a huge shift in Stacy, at least from my point of view. Not sure if this is the "right way" say it but I am really proud of her.

Stacy let us stay in the master bedroom while she and her husband slept in other rooms throughout the house. It was because of this and the fact that I was floored by who she was I'm writing something to her and hopefully she likes it. Not like getting mentioned on a blog that 5 people read is a big deal, but hopefully she likes it! I really wanted her to get how I am in awe of her resolve, she and her family are really together on where they are in life. I can say one thing for sure, no matter what happens they will be great.

One side note: Stacy has an amazing singing voice too! You should hear her belt out the song from that NFL commercial about the women's line. Here it is for you to check out. Love you guys! Go AZ family!

"Until you make peace with who you are, you’ll never be content with what you have."

--Doris Mortman