Relationship Reflection

I think that people are social beings because we were never meant to live in isolation. Every relationship with an individual impacts you positively or negatively on some level. However we seem to only acknowledge the extremes in both cases. I know I am thinking a little deep for this assignment so let me lighten things up by saying. We are who we are because of the people and the situations in our life. There have been some situations or people in my life that I would have been better off without, except for the fact that if I had never experienced them I would not be who I am. I am very happy with where my life is and where it is going.

I think I owe the most credit to my parents and my brothers. I grew up in a lower middle class family. We have always been a very close family and I have always had them to talk to, share joys and disappointments with, had their support, and their cheers. They encourage me and stand by me through all my decisions in life. I feel very blessed to be a part of my family.

Another positive relationship would be with my friend Dana. We have been through so much together, (graduations, marriages, children, miscarriages, her son’s bone marrow transplant and more). She is that person I can go to without judgment, and knowing that our conversations will always remain confidential between the two of us. She is supportive, but also helps me to see my potential and cheers me on to go further in life. She is the person I can go have a good time with or sit on a porch and drink tea with no conversation at all, because she knows I need her there but do not want to talk. Dana is a huge piece of my foundation.

Finally one of the most important relationships I have is with my Golden Retriever, Chance. I have always been allergic to dogs and often dreamed of having a Golden Retriever but thought I could never have one. Until one day almost 7 years ago Chance chose me. He was a stray and had been badly abused (evidence of burn marks, malnourished). Friends of mine had been trying to catch him for days to take him to a shelter and I went to see if I could help. When I got there I immediately saw how cute he was and called to him. He ran for me, then past me and jumped in my car. That is why I say he chose me. In these last almost 7 years he has been the best dog I could ever ask for. Aside from loving companionship he literally saves my life. He wakes me up out of a sound sleep when he knows I am having an asthma attach and I am not breathing normal. He stops me on walks when he knows I have gone far enough and need to get back to the car for my inhaler, even before I know I have. He is loyal, loveable, and smart.

I feel each of these relationships make me a better person. They make me unselfish, companionate and thoughtful. They make me work harder to be the best friend, daughter, sister, dog mom, and person I can be. They also make me look hard at the different kinds of relationships that children need in their lives.