T is for the Tomlinsons

Family, Gratitude 2 Minutes

Kody and I have been together since 1986. I was sixteen. He was seventeen. His little brother Thomas and little sister Gianna were three and four. Kody was so good with them. It was one of the things I liked about him. Thanks to Kody, Thomas and Gianna both can still sing the Beastie Boys to this day:

“Now here’s a little story I’ve got to tell
About three bad brothers you know so well…”
 
Thomas and Gianna are all grown up.
 

Kody’s mom Dana treated me like family before I ever was. I remember going to their beautiful home my junior year before Kody and I ever went on a date. As a cheerleader, I went into a few of the senior football players’ homes and decorated their rooms with signs before the game with Coweta. I coordinated with Dana to surprise Kody. No one was home that evening, but Dana just left the front door open for me. I made Kody a poster in Guymon Tiger black-and-orange that said, “Eat a pita, Coweta!” I think he liked me for that. (By the way, the game with Coweta was tied, and Kody kicked the winning field goal. The Tigers went to state that year).

When I was a senior in high school, I taught a beginning tumbling class for kids. Gianna was four and took my class. One day, she face planted while attempting a dive roll. Tears streamed down her precious face, and I promised to take her for a Mr. Burger Coke. And I did. She’s been my little buddy ever since, and we still laugh about that time when she smashed her face. Gianna has the best laugh.

And then there’s Kody’s dad Tommy Tomlinson, Grandpa to our kids. Kind and funny, an amazing golfer and a gifted joke-teller. I’m not sure I’ve ever heard Tommy tell the same joke twice, and Kody, Thomas, and Gianna all learned the skill. My jokes are all pretty bad, but here’s one just for Tommy:

Times New Roman and Helvetica walk into a bar.

“Get out of here!” shouts the bartender. “We don’t serve your type.”

 

Bah-dum-dum. I’ll be here six more days.

A to Z Challenge

 

How many times have I found myself singing the alphabet during my A-Z blogging challenge? Q R S T U. Looks like tomorrow I will be expressing gratitude for U, or is it gratitude for you? Either way, I’m so happy you dropped by, I hope you’re well, and I would love to see you here tomorrow. Past posts are linked below 😊:

A is for Apple and B is for Boozer and C is for Champagne and Chanel No. 5 and D is for Dad and E is for Epiphany and F is for Faith + Gratitude = Peace + Hope and G is for Great _______ and H is for Hatbox and Honeysuckle and I for an I and J is for Jesus and K is for Kody and L is for the Lovely Lauren and M is for the Marvelous Misti and a Dirty Martini and N is for the Numbers and O is for the Oversized Owl and P—Prayer and My Grandmother’s Pearls and R is for Ripples Colliding and S is for Siblings

Published by Crystal Byers

When I was young, my dad would always say, "Crystal, you can choose your attitude." One day I chose to believe him.

Published

30 thoughts on “T is for the Tomlinsons”

    1. Thank you, Lisa! I’ve tried to journal my gratitude during the month of November the last few years, but this challenge has held me accountable. It’s been fun to add photos to my thoughts.

      Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you, Eliza! Sometimes we make our own luck. Of course, nothing is perfect all of the time, but love is patient and kind. The Tomlinsons have been my family for over thirty years now. ✨❤️✨

      Liked by 1 person

  9. What a lovely post, the closeness shines in the photos and your words. I believe unreservedly they love you back and are grateful Kody picked you and you picked Kody.
    Love the joke, keep them coming ! LOL

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Hot darn, Crystal, you’re actually going to do this! Never thought, back in the A-B-C days, you still would be going strong, close to twenty letters later. Yet, here we are. The formidable ‘Q’s bested, the rest of the alphabet is yours for the taking, my friend.

    Such a splendid collection. You’ve made each letter a gem, glistening with wit and deeply colored with heart-sustaining memories. Above all is the gratitude. You’ve a vast supply, and have favored your fortunate readers with some samples.

    Much more than just “samples,” though. As you’ve progressed, you’ve assembled a riveting biography, one chapter (letter) at a time. Bookmark these pages, folks. When Crystal wins the Nobel Prize for Literature, herein is a sneak peek at the bestselling memoirs she’ll publish.

    Plus, I know now how to pronounce “Coweta.” Never know when that particular skill will come in handy.

    Like

    1. Keith! (I’ve been sleuthing.) I’ve missed your words, speaking of gems and wit. They make my whole heart smile and humble the whole of my being.

      I played with the idea of giving up around letter E—that was before the epiphany. As I head into V, I’m unsure once more of what tomorrow brings. It’s like a metaphor for life. I’m headed for a walk with my headphones now. On my playlist, I have Q-Tip’s “Vivrant Thing.” Maybe I’ll return home with a vision.

      The trick to Coweta is never say cow. It’s co. You’re welcome! ❤️

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Pingback: U is for Untamed – Faith + Gratitude = Peace + Hope
  12. Pingback: V is for Violoncello, Voices, and a Vision – Faith + Gratitude = Peace + Hope
  13. Pingback: X is for That Time I Xeroxed My Face – Faith + Gratitude = Peace + Hope
  14. Pingback: Y is for Y’all – Faith + Gratitude = Peace + Hope
  16. Pingback: No Feeling Is Final – Faith + Gratitude = Peace + Hope

Comments are closed.