Pud and JC

The next two people I love are not exactly family. Well, that is, if you consider blood relations family. So no, that are not related to me but they are more apart of my family than some people that are actually related.
Before I was born, my mom became friends with JC and his wife, Pud (and yes, that is thier nicknames) at the place where she worked. Pud and my mom became best friends. After I was born, and then my sister, my parents divorced. We had no place to go and they took us in. Not for a week or a couple of days but for 6 or 7 years. They became our surrogate grandparents. We stayed with them when my mom went to college and after she graduated they helped us get our own house. Even after we moved into our own house, we would spend weekends at thier house while my mom worked.
Some of my favorite memories as a child involve Pud and JC. Pud use to go outside in thier driveway and play one on one basketball with me, coaching me the whole time. JC use to read to us and he taught us how to change the oil in a car. Even now, they are a part of my children's lives. My kids don't understand why every one doesn't have a Pud and JC.
One of the most important things they taught me was unconditional love. They have loved me through my mistakes and triumphs. Even today, we butt heads but I know they still love me no matter what. They gave up thier home and thier lives to help us. I know Christ as my Savior because they taught me about Him. There is no way I could ever repay them for all they have given me. All I can do is hope that one day, when God calls me give, I can give as unconditionally and lovingly as they did for us.

JC holding Blake


Pud holding Blake