Thankful Day 8

DAY 8, I'm thankful for learning about the value of communication. Growing up my parents always made my sisters and I tell each other we were sorry when we would get into fights. I always hated it...so much so that I would end up being sequestered to my room for hours because I would refuse to apologize. I never fully appreciated this requirement until I got older and had to practice it as an adult, especially in my marriage. When I was little I didn't see the point of being forced to apologize even when I didn't mean it, but now I know that it was such a valuable lesson in life because it forces me as adult to complete the same task. Communication was not only taught in this manor but in all things growing up. My parents encouraged communication and modeled this in their relationship with each other and in their relationship with their children. It is because of this model growing up that I have the marriage that I do. Not saying that my marriage is perfect when it comes to communication (let's face it - I'm a girl who constantly wants hubs to read my mind and will hold my ground until he either does read my mind or I have waited long enough and break down and tell him how I am really feeling) because believe me, it isn't...but Coy and I practice open communication daily in our relationship, even with the tough stuff. I am thankful that I was taught the value of communication in relationships and in family and I hope to one day display the same model for my children.