Relationship Reflection

Relationships are important to me because I stay connected with people I love, trust, and feel comfortable to be around in their company.   Relationships is synonymous to a conducive environment where one can feel relax and be just their true selves. I find happy when I am with certain people whose presence make me feel like I am part of their life.

My mother: 

The best mom in the world. My relationship with her is crowned abundantly with affection, which it is always hard to delineate. She raised me, she believed in me she was there for me as a young girl, she gave and still sacrifices so much for me. She is gentle, fun to be around, a good story teller, and a proud mother of eleven children. The joyfulness, love, fun and the late night conversations with endless advice and genuine concern about my well-being makes this relationship exquisitely important to me. Sometimes I panic at the thought that one day she will have to leave me to eternity and I tear up. She is a God fearing woman, gracious, cordial, and lovable person.I love you mom.

My Husband Joseph:  

 

 A relation that surpasses all was the relationship with Joseph my husband. We got married as two young high school sweet hearts in 1977 and we were blessed with five children. The relationship with Joseph was a mutual relationship of true love and commitment. The pinnacle of our relationship was on trust, love, and fidelity for one another. This relationship lasted for 25 years when he lost his battle to cancer in October 2002. It is ten years ago but because of the relationship that was built so strong it has been difficult to forget. I still love and cherish him,  I do not feel like I can ever date nor remarry because it took years to build this wonderful intimate marital relationship we shared together.

Joseph became my best friend, he was more than a brother, someone I could depend on, a true pal that I could count on and above all, I felt secured, protected against the most difficult storm in his presence. He could take a bullet on my behalf. He loved me,and  thought I was his treasure. He  held me in high esteem and would show great compassion whenever I was sick.  Nonetheless, my experiences with my relationship with Joseph have taught me a lot about relationships. It is a give and take process and both parties need to be willing to compromise and be committed in the relationship. Yes, it takes two to tangle and that applies to relationships as well. It entails a two way open communication. The first five years of our lives together we were constantly arguing, fighting, competing and had no time for each other. We were like two captains on a ship and no one would listen to the other. It took time to build trust and respect and to value the ideas of the other person. Through open, honest, and sincere communications about how one felt we were able to work on those issues that were irritable and factors that could wreck our marriage. We grew, matured and learned from each other. Behold, the last fifteen years of the relationship it was as if we had everything in place and we were just enjoying the fruits of our labor. The harvest was good. We talked more, laughed, played and had fun together. The more we grew in love and understanding; it became easier to solve our problems because we understood each other’s interest, likes, and dislikes. This was the most important relationship I had in my life. Today without this relationship, I have been depressed, bitter, lonely, and void of joy.  Life has not been the same ever since Joseph passed away.Sometimes it is the feelings of hopelessness and despair. It was like the sun set at noon for me. He was my sheltering tree, who suddenly was gone at the age of 47.  I often feel lost in my thoughts and in the world. I ponder what the purpose of life is, how fragile and vulnerable one’s life on earth is and contemplate how the vacuum created by this relationship can ever be filled. This relationship of love with Joseph   is indelible, because though he is gone I still cherish and love him each passing day.

My children: 

The reason I live today is for my children. They are precious young men and lady. They are witty, humorous, very entertaining and they make me laugh.  I see their dad’s qualities in them and my love for them is unconditional. We all share the same family values of love and respect for each other. We have been through difficult times together and we depend on one another for true love and emotional support. I  know they  miss their dad but the good thing is whenever we are all together we keep Joseph's memories alive. They will imitate what he used  to do or imagine how he would have been excited on  their graduations from schools.They miss playing soccer with their dad and because of the bond formed two of the boys are great soccer players in their school teams.   Our relationship as a family is further solidified because we are open to positive criticism in our family. I criticized them and they criticized me as well pointing out in good faith what and how they feel about certain issues that may probe up. We learn to listen to each one’s point of view and this to me is one of the characteristics of a good relationship.My grandson follows in the footsteps of the uncles he wants to be with "NuNu"(Grandma) all the time and I just spoil him  with abundant hugs and kisses because he has brought happiness in my life as he is named after my husband.

"NuNu"  and Grandson bond together

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Friends:They make you  forget the rainy days of your life.

 Friends share, bond, love and support each  other.

Having  fun, laughter builds a strong relationship.

These are friends I can call anytime and I know they will be they for me. They advise, suggest and help ungrudgingly when you ask them.   I have a lot in common as we went to the same secondary school as early teenagers and grew up in the same boarding school. This relationship is positive because we respect each other’s opinion, sometimes we disagree and argue in a fun way, and we are all easy going ladies. We believe life is too short to spent time frowning and embittering one another. We know we are not perfect and we are quick to forgive and forget and have more fun time sharing and expressing joy at the accomplishments of each person. When tribulations strike they are there to give moral support and shoulder to lean on and cry.  From my experiences any relationship based on love and mutual understanding will yield positive outcomes.

Relationships are important in life because no man is an island.We need one another to make the world a better place. All it takes is  to  love,understand, and appreciate the differences that exist within your friends, family,and siblings and cherish  the beauty in  diversity.

Finally, relationship does not end with your friends, as an early childhood professional, it is important to understand my students’ likes and dislikes. I want to see them as individuals and get to know their uniqueness. It is of importance to share ideas and build trust with each of the children and to provide a conducive, relaxing atmosphere where students can feel relax and comfortable to ask whatever questions they want and feel appreciated.A nurturing relationship that will lead them to achieve their dreams in future.