Lots to be grateful for this week

So I just finished my kitchen revamp yesterday and looking back on a week with lots of things to be grateful for.

The most important thing was finding back my aunt who went no contact with the entire family 20 years ago.

For explanation: I grew up in a family where lots of dysfunction played over generations, but everything had to be picture perfect to the outside world.

When my aunt revealed things, she was shunned and demonized by the entire family. She was my favorite aunt when I was a child and my parents literally had to lure me away from her. I was a teen when she took the courage to get the truth out.

We didn't even get the chance to say goodbye. But we never forgot each other.
A while ago, after trying for years to get behind the secrets in the family history, I started searching for her. Called the community hall of the city she lived in when I was a teen. A very nice community employee made the effort to contact her. And Tuesday evening, all at once, I had an email from my aunt in my mailbox.

Can you imagine how over joyed I was? And yes, I heard some very disturbing things since then, but I'm at peace - the last puzzle pieces were found They weren't pretty ones, absolutely not, but all my questions were answered. Finally.

My aunt, very familiar with the sinister side of some family member, was the person who protected me from unbelievable damage. The rest of the family only cared about the reputation. She cared about me. Being a child, I instinctively felt this love and was drawn to her. More than to my parents.

And the most awesome thing is, now, more than 20 years later, with both of us being grown up women, we renewed the bond without any problems. It was like we talked yesterday. We both were the black sheep of the family. Because we're more outspoken and we both refuse to tolerate abuse in the name of blood bonds. It's incredible how alike we are, in character and looks.

So yes, I have lots of blessings to count this week, and I hope you have, too!