In praise of my stepmother

Besides my sister, there is probably no one on the planet who I have given more grief over the years than my stepmother, Carol. When I was too young and blind to appreciate the advice, my youth pastor Jeff said about her, "You don't know what a great lady she is." And now that I'm not so young or so blind I can see some of the wonderful qualities of the woman who for more than twenty seven years I have called "My wicked stepmother."

Carol, thanks for loving an unlovable brat who thought he had to withhold his affection from you to prove his affection for his mother. Thanks for not poisoning my soup. And thanks for putting together our blended family into something that is bigger and stronger than many "perfect families" will ever be.

Your loving son,

David