Mandy, You've Been Hacked

Sunday, December 2, 2018



This blog has been HIJACKED. 

Well, kinda.




I'm McKenna!
I'm Mandy's step daughter, one of three, and Scott's middle daughter. 
I am the typing fingers behind the words on this website. Hello!!
Every topic of this blog is planned out by Mandy and I, and I have the fun job of interviewing her then turning that content into posts, making sure Mandy's voice is present and accounted for. I've always loved writing, and connecting through the internet is, I think, one of the best parts of living in today's world. 

The reason I say this blog has been hijacked is that this is not the post Mandy and I discussed. 
Surprise, Mandy!
The topic we had discussed for this week was a recap on her Thanksgiving. The family, the food, and all the other things- so I'll make sure I do that first. 
Mandy had a fantastic Thanksgiving with family that traveled in from Utah and California. As always the collection of people was a peppering of family and and adopted family from throughout Mandy's life, including but not limited to her mother/daughter friends who lived with her family and helped take care of her while growing up and her biological dad, Dennis whom she's known for only a year.




Thanksgiving is Mandy's self-proclaimed favorite holiday. Even topping Christmas. I found this weird when I first heard it but holidays are such a personal thing. They're completely dictated by how each of us experienced them growing up and what memories are attached. For Mandy, though, her love for Thanksgiving has less to do with her experiences with her family of origin growing up and more to do with a time in her life where she faced a crossroads. She was in the middle of the end of her first marriage, her family was all out of town (on a cruise I believe), and she felt alone. The deep kind of loneliness that pulls at the fabric of your life as things change and people leave. It was at this point, Thanksgiving, that she decided to be intentional and MAKE Thanksgiving her favorite holiday of the year. And if you know Mandy at all, you know the long story short is that she did it. Because Mandy usually does the things she intends to do, hell or high-water.

Mandy and I are not the most similar of people. We have things in common for sure- we both love games, ethnic food, and a good party. The main thing that I think we have in common, though, is our love for people. I always tease her because literally ANY time I go out in public with her, whatever errand we're running is usually extended by 30 minutes because there's always a run-in with a friend, former co-worker etc. and she always, always takes the time to catch up. I can't tell you how well I know the Basha's grocery store simply because of the minutes I've had to kill wandering the aisles. My love for people may not extend to that kind of breadth but I usually take a moment to observe during those interactions, and Mandy lights up during every. single. one. She really gets energy from the people in her life, particularly her family and the family she chose, that being her close friends. And I know, I really know, that the interactions she's had with people since being diagnosed and through every other trial she's experienced has really sustained her. And what I also know, which, if you're friends with Mandy, you know it too, is that she always gives that energy back. Friendship with Mandy is not and never has been a one-way street (unless it's chemo week- and even then she'll try her best) Thanksgiving may not be my top holiday, but I would be remiss if I didn't take the time to say that I'm thankful for Mandy. Her and my Dad coming into each others lives has been an up and down process for all involved, as changes in families always are, but I truly am grateful that I have her. She is my friend, and a wonderful Mimi to my kids. And without getting too testimonial, I want to say that I also know she is so, so very grateful for you. I can get as close to any 100% guarantee as possible that if you are reading this right now she is grateful for you, and that you mean something to her. A very important part of this blog, that Mandy and I haven't even really expressed to one another, is the opportunity to convey all the heartfelt love she has for the people that have supported and lifted her throughout her life. A life which you will learn through continued reading has held some very winding turns and rocky roads. These are the parts that I've really enjoyed learning about since I've been interviewing her- trust me, they're good. 

Thanks for being here. Thanks for loving Mandy. 
We hope you had an excellent holiday and will continue to do so with the people you love most. 

I'll be (sort of) seeing you around :)

xo

McKenna


1 comment:

  1. ALL I CAN SAY IS WOW!!! DO I HAVE THE MOST AMAZING STEP-DAUGHTER, OR WHAT!/! A MUST READ FOR SURE!

    Like McKenna Naatjes said, she most definitely surprised me with this hijack and I am so grateful. I have had numerous people reach out to me and compliment me on my writhing skills, and although I would like to take credit...no can do! She has an ability to take my thoughts and express them perfectly. I hope you all enjoy getting to know her in this post and our future collaborations together.

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