Dianne Lawson

Theme: Baby Sister I am the youngest of 3. Most people would read that and think “Ah! She’s their “Baby Sister”. Then there’s My Big Brother… He introduces me to others “this is my Big Sister, Dianne”… followed by descriptives filled with love, respect, admiration, pride and protectiveness. For many years, yes years, that manner of introduction bothered me and no matter how I protested, My Big Brother refused to stop referring to me as his “Big Sister”. One of Many Scenarios:

Theme: Adapting to Changes Relationships change… Family relationships change from birth through adulthood. Social relationships change within families, workplaces, educational, communities, etc. Personal relationships change. Professional relationships change. Voluntary and involuntary relationships change. Changes may be positive, challenging, heartbreaking, exciting, chosen, forced, unwanted, answered prayers, expected or unexpected. What do you do to prepare for change? Wh

Theme: Love Adapting Relationships change. Sometimes by choice. Sometimes by distance. Sometimes by life circumstances. Sometimes by loss. Yet love can still exist. Only different. Relationships evolve throughout our lives. Some grow closer. Some grow apart. Some are interrupted by distance, illness, divorce, disagreements, or loss. Yet love can continue to exist. Only different. How does love continue when circumstances change? Love adapts to: Distance. Loss. Illness. Aging.

Theme: Distance Imagine being 30+ miles from home at a family picnic, everyone is having a wonderful time… on the lake peddle boating, hiking the trails, playing games, relaxing, enjoying being together And the joy and laughter is interrupted by someone asking “Dianne, is that your car with the flat tire?”. Breathe. Pray. “Lord, I didn't bring new tire money. I don't know where I can get a can of Fix-A-Flat this far from home. I don't know what happened or when it happened

Theme: Heart-Connections Heart-Connections are not always easy to explain. Sometimes they are found in shared laughter, traditions, memories, and milestones. Sometimes they reveal themselves through support during life's most difficult moments. Sometimes they remain quietly present, even when circumstances change. Life happened... Status changed... Heart-Connections remained. Love is not always romantic. Love can also be mutual care, respect, appreciation, gratitude, shared h

Theme: Grace Everyone is deserving of unconditional love. Unconditional Love. It is not a mood. It is caring for and about self and others all the time, by choice. Grace is when someone or something rubs you the wrong way and you Pause + Breathe and Pray or Think before you speak or do anything. Grace is being patient. Grace is forgiveness. Grace is not self-sacrifice. Grace does not mean agreeing with everything. Grace does not mean allowing harm. Grace does not mean ignorin

Theme: Mutual Care Bloodline. Extended Family. Heart-Connections. Parents or guardians are responsible for your physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. They are expected to provide a safe environment for you while instilling morals and values that result in you being a respectable and responsible person. My parents did this for us, some of our extended family and friends. I believe my sons, our extended family and friends feel that I did the same for them. Some pe

Theme: Family Complexity Perfection is not required to be a happy family. Love is. Daddy used to tell me everyone was entitled to their own personality and habits—to not expect to like 100% of anyone and to learn to be okay with that. He also said: “Don’t let it bother you if someone doesn’t like 100% of you.” Family… unique yet similar personalities, perceptions, opinions, and experiences. Sometimes everyone agrees on what to do, where to go, what to eat, and what