A blended family works only with grace and respect
Since the world seems to be disintegrating before our eyes, there are many topics a person could write about. Thankfully, I have the freedom to write about whatever subject happens to be on my heart at the time. That is one of the many beauties of freedom. We all have choices. If you are one of those people talking about freedom over everything going on in our country, yet bash other people for believing or doing differently than you, you do not really understand freedom.
If anyone thinks I only write about those I speak to on a regular basis, they would be wrong. There are so many good people in this community I have never socialized with. Several years ago, I had the honor of sitting down with Delane Castleberry. We first met at a Rotary Club meeting where she spoke about our local Service League. Any charity committed to helping others is a good thing. Due to 100% of the Service League’s charitable donations staying in Cherokee County, they are still my favorite charitable organization.
The day Delane and I sat down, she spoke a lot about her parents, Rick, and Linda Bailey. It was obvious during our discussion her parents have had a great influence on her life. She was at a time in her life that many of us experience at one time or another. Regardless of who we are or where we come from, life has its challenges. After listening to Delane’s tear filled stories of the Service League, my heart felt a burden to share her story. After sitting and talking with her, she made it clear despite the challenges of life, in Jesus is her faith and hope. When we parted, I knew I had been blessed to listen to her story.
Delane has two children, Conner, and Allie. At the time of our meeting, she was a single mother raising her kids with the same values she had learned from her parents. At some point and time between then and now, Delane met and married Gary Castleberry. I have never had the honor of meeting Gary or his children. Nor have I met Conner or Allie. They are not kids anymore. Allie has started high school. Conner is now a United States Marine.
Cherokee County is full of blended families. The Castleberry’s are one of them.
I mostly stay in touch with Delane and her Dad Rick on social media. They are a family who love to share their growth and adventures. You will not find anyone in their family on social media arguing politics. They will not be on social media bashing people for their choices. This family is simply enjoying life.
Gary Castleberry did not just talk the talk when he became part of this blended family. He walked the walk. Going as far as adopting Conner and Allie as his own. This would not work in every situation. Many marriages and relationships end because of the challenges associated with introducing new people into the situation. This one worked. One of, if not the most important reason is, Conner and Allie respected their mother’s decision in bringing Gary into their lives. It is apparent, they respect Gary also.
Gary Castleberry did not bring respect to this household when he joined. These children were respectful before they knew him. How do I know? I know because I know Delane. I know Rick and Linda. Disrespect would not have been tolerated by any of them. Some people do not realize, you can love your children and grandchildren without accepting disrespect. This family gets it. Blended families only work when there is grace and respect.
Do they know I am writing this? No. Will they read it? Maybe. But that is not why I am writing it. The burden is there to share this story. It has been for a while. However, it needed to be written at the right time. In a few more words, the burden will be lifted. In this world filled with negativity, this is a story of people trying to do things right.
With so many uncertainties in this world, it must be gut-wrenching to have a child or loved one in the military. It would not surprise me if the Castleberry’s and the Baileys have lost sleep in the past several weeks. Delane’s faith was evident when we first met. That same faith will get them through Allie’s high school days and Conner’s time serving our country as a proud Marine.
Regardless of what you read on the internet, we still live in a free country and God is still in control.