tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post2835569309794091807..comments2008-10-01T18:13:26.375-07:00Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067954787472463337noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-79351029182488829842008-10-01T18:13:00.000-07:002008-10-01T18:13:00.000-07:00Leslie - It has been a blessing...I think there are things that cause us to look beyond ways we've been hurt, but it's still a challenge because it's emotionally confusing at times for things to be so different.Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067954787472463337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-46905903588848158942008-10-01T12:28:00.000-07:002008-10-01T12:28:00.000-07:00"There are things, and then there is family."<BR/><BR/>Wow, can I relate to that. For years I had a very adversarial, competitive relationship with my former MIL. It wasn't, I felt, a matter of my not being good enough for her son (and she would be the first to tell anyone that)but not being good enough to be her grandchildren's mother. We had a lot of different viewpoints on raising children that left a wide chasm in our relationship. Now that I am no longer her daughter-in-law we've had a melting together. It's like the pressure is off and we can finally respect each other even though we don't always agree.<BR/><BR/>What I read in your posts about your MILs illness is a stripping away off the kruft that surrounding your relationship with them prior to your MIL's illness and now what was there all along is now coming to the surface. A blessing in disguise.Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01906317703995881481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-53138665215362221522008-09-28T10:17:00.000-07:002008-09-28T10:17:00.000-07:00Thanks Gary. It's been tough, but interesting.Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067954787472463337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-23492906722289632862008-09-27T14:03:00.000-07:002008-09-27T14:03:00.000-07:00a beautiful story. I am moved and quieted.Gary Meanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13213758384049656850noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-12154431709544537652008-09-21T09:07:00.000-07:002008-09-21T09:07:00.000-07:00Tyler - Yes, I am happy about the results even if I wish I hadn't had the experiences leading up to them. <BR/><BR/>I don't know about having anyone rate my ink...I'll think about it.Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067954787472463337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-35785416416282857142008-09-21T09:06:00.000-07:002008-09-21T09:06:00.000-07:00Thanks Lyn. I appreciate it.Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067954787472463337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-31411537269697138532008-09-20T07:17:00.000-07:002008-09-20T07:17:00.000-07:00wish I had read this earlier, what a blessing!!!<BR/><BR/>I think probably that they had the same misconceptions about you as you had about them, lol. It's only in our insecurities that we come to think that we are so very different from each other. But love crashes down all walls! Praise God.<BR/><BR/>Don't get me wrong, hon, I wouldn't wish this experience upon anyone, but I would wish the results on everyone. So big hugs and a smooch.<BR/><BR/>BTW, there is a website i was reading about called "rate my ink" or somthing like that. i think you should submit a picture because yours is so cool and unique.Tyler Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17021870354703680808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-65891396454393397972008-09-19T12:28:00.000-07:002008-09-19T12:28:00.000-07:00Erin, I've been thinking about this post for the past day now, wanting to write something. I'm lost for words though, other than beautiful, absolutely beautiful.Lyn Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01629624191355962715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-53238770622962152222008-09-19T08:10:00.000-07:002008-09-19T08:10:00.000-07:00Thanks Kathy. I hate how God keeps secrets from us about what he's doing...but sometimes the result is OK.Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067954787472463337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-60944751169500459052008-09-19T08:04:00.000-07:002008-09-19T08:04:00.000-07:00Thank you Beth. I will read that post. I love how grace shakes us up, all our pre- and ill- conceived notions....Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067954787472463337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-37602725954012360752008-09-19T07:21:00.000-07:002008-09-19T07:21:00.000-07:00wow, my friend. absolutely beautiful. made me cry &amp; gave me chills. what a picture of healing &amp; redemption &amp; something far bigger going on underneath than anyone would ever imagine. thanks for sharing. love from CO. kathykathyescobarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17756461407732884797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-53720733955228689562008-09-18T21:32:00.000-07:002008-09-18T21:32:00.000-07:00Erin,<BR/>This is a great story of how we mature, against all odds...I'm right there beside you in my resistance to grace showing up, unannounced and uninvited! <BR/><BR/>Here's a story of redemption about my mother in law--the story is really about her life and death, but you can read between the lines about our complex relationship. The post is called 'Death by Angel Food Cake': http://virtualteahouse.com/blogs/beth/archive/2008/08/09/death-by-angel-food-cake.aspx<BR/><BR/>Thanks again, Erin, for your courage (I know it doesn't feel like courage in the moment, but it is...)<BR/>BethBeth P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02621990661878989356noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-90766933028808517072008-09-18T07:37:00.000-07:002008-09-18T07:37:00.000-07:00Michelle - I guess we all just have to be open to being teachable...I hate that word and suspect you do too, but it's true.Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067954787472463337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-46617815372790352172008-09-18T05:24:00.000-07:002008-09-18T05:24:00.000-07:00What a beautiful story. There is hope for all of us selfish folk to experience giving, isn't there? Thank you for sharing this!<BR/><BR/>MichelleOne Voice of Manyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02406711453291558817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-92128412259496209142008-09-17T20:51:00.000-07:002008-09-17T20:51:00.000-07:00Nate - I think that's about the best compliment I've ever received. Thanks!Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067954787472463337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-51724850415505687322008-09-17T20:01:00.000-07:002008-09-17T20:01:00.000-07:00Thats kick ass.Natehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286219824281974297noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-76830270628700401732008-09-17T15:45:00.001-07:002008-09-17T15:45:00.001-07:00Kelly - I love that God knows we are always teachable. Can you imagine if he ever gave up?Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067954787472463337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-64005352354440723332008-09-17T15:45:00.000-07:002008-09-17T15:45:00.000-07:00John - Of course I'm trying to make you cry. Everyone needs a good cry now and then! ;-)Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067954787472463337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-29920975622094384622008-09-17T15:44:00.000-07:002008-09-17T15:44:00.000-07:00Pam - I wonder if some of us are just stubborn?Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067954787472463337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-37480999277740545302008-09-17T15:43:00.001-07:002008-09-17T15:43:00.001-07:00Xmplufi (aka my husband) - Love you too!Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067954787472463337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-36804982704890084002008-09-17T15:43:00.000-07:002008-09-17T15:43:00.000-07:00Joe - LOL I would hope that doesn't happen very often anymore!<BR/><BR/>Loving people in spite of differences is easier said than done, but it's something to strive for. And I think one thing I've learned in all this is it takes two to tango.Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067954787472463337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-81658540634897683522008-09-17T15:41:00.000-07:002008-09-17T15:41:00.000-07:00Thanks Tara, and thanks for the hug.Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067954787472463337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-90738504030099865242008-09-17T15:40:00.000-07:002008-09-17T15:40:00.000-07:00Sue - Thankya, my chickie friend down under!Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067954787472463337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-6049309049156670362008-09-17T15:39:00.000-07:002008-09-17T15:39:00.000-07:00Grace - What you said about mission not being some person or group of people out there...so very true. I think mission has everything to do with relationship.Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067954787472463337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-496769654510411792008-09-17T15:38:00.000-07:002008-09-17T15:38:00.000-07:00Thanks Alan. It's taken a lot of years to get there, but I'm glad it's finally here.Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067954787472463337noreply@blogger.com