Taken for Granted

(F): We are all guilty of this... taking loved ones, successful careers, or even life itself, all for granted. Well, perhaps not all of us, but I speak solely for myself. I've been intending to participate in oddball vortex to keep in touch with you all, but I've allowed myself to get caught up in "stuff". I've always been one to take things, people, and situations for granted, but the realization of it didn't hit me hard until I was stripped of everything that I ever knew and loved. It was when I was saying my farewells for my departure to Texas when the sensation crept upon me. I finally realize now how selfish I've always been, especially towards the ones that I love. It all started even before I left home the first time. It was in disgrace, and caused hurt to my family. Over the course of the last 12+ years, this viscious cycle I continued to exhibit taking all that I love "for granted." It was so easy to allow myself to put off in facing the truth, all the hurt and betrayal, at a later time. (Yes Fa'ana, I suffer from situational procrastination syndrome) But in the end result, I realize that I've not only hurt those that love me, but myself as well. I have failed to show my loved ones the deep love that I have for them that is burrowed so deep in my heart. Although I was absent alot in the last decade and then some, my heart quietly ached for them. It was all the shame that overwhelmed me, so I continued to live in the dark. I hurt myself by missing out on all my sisters and brothers growing up into young adults, missing out on my parents blooming into their middle ages, and mostly, my eldest born developing into this wonderful boy that he is. I have failed my family and am guilty of taking them for granted. Perhaps it took this much, to be far away from you all, to realize that I have the best. God has been good to us all by blessing us abundantly with loving, generous, forgiving characters--POWER!