Grateful daughter-in-law shares her appreciation

What does a person learn going through life lucky enough to have in-laws like Jim and Gerry Goetz? What does a person learn going through life with the best examples?

I count it an honor to be their daughter-in-law, and I have been with them most of my life.

I married their oldest son, Tom. Their other two sons, Terry and Greg, have always said they “can’t remember life without me in the family.”

Jim and Gerry have taught me to love unconditionally, especially with our oldest son who was born with drug alcohol syndrome. They were always by our side as we went through some very rough years with him. They love each child that we adopted or fostered as if we had had them ourselves.

I also learned what it means to serve unconditionally. Gerry did that without blinking an eye.

Someone once said to me “I’ll bet you are a lot like Gerry.” I laughed and said, “Hardly – I’m not as nice.”

One of the expressions of love that our children received from their grandparents was giving.

Our middle son, Marcus, would ask Grandma for some money – then he would go ask Grandpa for some – he would then tell Grandpa, “Don’t tell Grandma you gave money to me.”

Another example is in marriage. Jim and Gerry have been married over 69 years and are still in love. They kiss goodnight every night. In a day and age of divorce you don’t see people staying together this long.

As a Christmas gift to my father-in-law, I put his name in the “Wall of Honor” in New York for the Purple Heart recipients. Jim Goetz’s story is on that wall. What an honor.

A few months ago, to everyone’s surprise, they decided to go into the nursing home together. They get great care there, and we are thankful.

They still kiss each other goodnight, and we as their family just visit them in a different home.

I am a very grateful daughter-in-law!