Andrew and I have been working on a particular project for quite some time, disappointingly with no results. As we have been working on it together, we've had a few discussions about the way we'd like to raise our family and how we hope that our children will be good and happy people, who love and respect each other. Seeing as we haven't had the best examples of how this should go, we've realized that it's going to be much harder said than done.
I know that growing up in my family, we had a lot of really wonderful and happy times. We had a lot of stressful and difficult times as well, but somehow the five of us kids managed to become very good friends with each other, despite all the petty childhood arguments, disagreements and misunderstandings. In fact, I was talking with a co-worker today about her two daughters who are 19 and 17 who happen to remind me a lot of me and my younger sister. We fought like cats and dogs, said the meanest things, and pretty much made life miserable for each other. But at the end of it all, we've become pretty good friends and I absolutely consider my baby sister one of the most important people in my life. There's nothing I wouldn't do for any of my siblings, because I KNOW that they would do it for me.
The thing I find interesting is that even in a family, where there should be love, respect, happiness and trust, there is so much contention, betrayal and jealousy. Your family should be the one place in the world where you can escape all the bad stuff and find comfort and peace. Even as adults, we should be able to turn to our siblings and have them celebrate the successes with us and also be a shoulder to lean on when times are tough. It is very disappointing to me that this isn't the situation that we find ourselves in with certain family members.
It has been brought to our attention, several times, over the last few years that Andrew and I are not only outcasts, but we are actually mocked and betrayed at every opportunity. I do not wish to name names, I think the guilty parties know who they are. I am not saying that Andrew and I are perfect, but I feel as though we have done what we can to encourage a strong family bond and relationship. Unfortunately this hasn't been reciprocated. And all I can say to that is, too bad for you. Our lives will go on, much happier, without you in it. YOU will be the ones to miss out on our children, on our adventures and our successes. It is too bad for you.
Andrew and I are very hurt about some of the things that have been said in our absence. To disrespect what he has worked so hard for, what he does everyday, is unacceptable. Andrew puts his life on the line every single day, for YOUR freedom, to keep your children safe and you call him G.I. Joe? As if he is a cartoon or an action figure? As if he is some kind of a joke? Andrew deserves so much more than that, especially from his family! He apprehends drug dealers, pedophiles, all types of violent criminals everyday to keep them from hurting anyone any further. We are lucky to have people like Andrew, who are willing to sacrifice their own lives to protect a total stranger. Did you know he's been in several altercations already where his life has flashed before his eyes? Did you know that I lay awake at night, waiting for someone to knock on the door, telling me my husband was killed on duty? Do you even care to know? Or are you too happy sitting at home, blissfully unaware and too busy making fun of him? I can not think of a more selfish or disrespectful attitude to have towards someone who has worked his ass off for something that he is truly passionate about. He had a goal, he accomplished it and he is awesome at it. You should be happy for him, you should be grateful to him, you should be thanking him. Instead, all we hear is how arrogant and full of himself he is. If you only knew...you would be ashamed of yourself. There are not many people in this world who can do what Andrew does. Not only being a BP agent, but also in the way that he knows what he wants to do and he does it. He has never given up, not once. He hasn't settled for anything. When he feels discouraged, he tries that much harder. His heart is kind and pure and he loves completely. Andrew is hands down, the MOST amazing person I have ever met. He deserves more than what his family has given him. He deserves to be loved, respected and treated like a brother. The behavior that has been displayed over the years is cruel and won't be tolerated any longer. It has hurt him more than anyone will ever know. And what hurts him, hurts me too. I know I have been the subject of many conversations, but I figure if you are that bored, go ahead. You don't have to love me, hell, you don't even like me. But I won't stand for family to belittle and put Andrew down any more. He doesn't deserve that. He's done nothing but follow his heart. And that heart is a good heart. It's too bad that you people just don't see it.
To say that we have been withdrawing ourselves from the family is a ludicrous statement. We have been shoved out. It was gently at first, but it has become stronger. I will not allow any of my family, whether it's Andrew or my children or myself, to be around this any longer. It has reached the point where it's unforgivable. You go to church each week and learn about how to be an eternal family, about Christ and His love for his brothers. And this is how you treat your brother???? You might as well stop going to church, because you aren't learning anything. You mostly go to keep up appearances (what would the ward think???!!!) but you know that it's what you do everyday that counts. Not how many times you speak in Sacrament Meeting, or how many high ranking callings you hold. It's all about how you have treated your brothers and sisters. And not just the ones that you are blood related to.
As a result of some of the things that have come to our attention recently, we will be taking our blog private. If you wish to be a part of our lives, please leave your email address in the comments section. If you are hurt by what I have said, please know that I, Annalise Lange, am solely responsible for the contents of this blog. If you have a problem with anything that I have said, direct your remarks toward me. Andrew is far too good of a person to lower himself to the level that I have managed to stoop to today. This is a one time deal. I will never mention any of these things again. The only reason I did today is because I have had enough. But never again will I stoop to the level of these people. GROW UP!!!
On Thursday, July 23, 2009, Border Patrol Agent Robert Rosas was killed in cold blood by Mexican drug or human traffickers. Agent Rosas was a husband and father of a 2 year old son and 11 month old daughter; it was also noted that he served as a Border Patrol Agent for the last three years and is the first Agent to be killed by gun fire in a decade. January 2008, Border Patrol Agent, Luis Aguilar, was intentionally run over by a fleeing drug dealer driving a drug- laden Hummer.
