Because of You...

You're such an inspiration for the person I will never, ever choose to be.

Because of you, I know I am a better parent. I don't hit my children, much less even lay a finger on them - I never have nor will I ever. I don't call them names or try to belittle them. I've never ignored my children when they cry or are in need of comforting. I've never became angry at them when they were ill or needed medical attention. I've never made ugly remarks about my children's friends - their appearance, their background, their parents, or anything of that sort. I will also never make distasteful and hateful remarks about the people that my children will date someday - I will not call them ugly, dirty-looking, stupid, ghetto, or worse. I will never play favorites with my children or border on neglecting a child while seemingly worshipping the other child.

Because of you, I know I am a better person. I am positive and optimistic, though realistic, and have hopes and dreams. I help others whenever possible without broadcasting it to everyone in search of praise and glory. I always strive to treat everyone equally and without judgement.

Because of you, I know I am a better relative to my family members, outside of my immediate family of me and my children. I will never be cold or unwelcoming to my mentally handicapped uncle simply because he can be annoying at times. I will never turn my back on my brother simply because I don't agree with his actions or decisions he makes in his life. I will never pick and choose which nieces or nephews I will acknowledge come holidays or special times - I will love and honor them equally.

Because of you, I know that I was a better wife (when married) and that I will be a better wife once re-married some day. I would never say nasty things about my spouse's family or friends. I would never order my spouse around or try to control the relationship. I would cherish every moment with my husband, enjoying time spent together, and always be supportive of his decisions. I would never tell him to "shut up" or "go to Hell", or worse. I would "fight fairly" and never pull any low blows in an argument, no matter how heated. I would give and take equally in the relationship and not have the scales tipping too much to either side.

Because of you, you will lose me. I know at some point in my life I will completely rid myself of you. I know that right now is not the time due to my current circumstances, but I also know that I will triumph and fly far above what anyone expects of me, possibly even exceed my own expectations. I know that you will eventually understand and regret the way that you treated me all of these years... yet I know that you would never apologize or admit this to me or anyone, for that matter. I know that I could eventually forgive you someday, but am reminded that forgiving you would never go hand-in-hand with wanting to reconcile with you.

Because of you, I am thankful that I am not you... I am nothing like you.