Family is Love

Love. That is the theme of the week. Well, actually, it has been hatred and love, but I am choosing to only focus on the love. I heard Somewhere Over the Rainbow, and it reminded me today more than ever of one of my moms. And a post developed...

My history:

Some of you know this, some may not. Almost 41 years ago, 2 teenagers found out they were expecting a baby. I cannot imagine the feelings. The initial feelings were probably NOT the joy I felt when Dan and I found out about Sadie and JC. They were 15 and 18. Just babies themselves. But they did the "right" thing, got married, and I was born. Now, if you have ever met my parents, you know that they are crazy different. Polar opposites. So, needless to say they did not experience "wedded bliss." But I was always first and foremost in their minds. They divorced early on (and remarried, and divorced again!). In fact, I have very few memories of my mom and dad being married. So, divorce occurred...Life went on. Not a whole lot different for me at all, though. Because even at their young ages, I was the priority. Then, came the "steps." Daddy remarried first. He married my Moe, who was pretty young in retrospect! I was around 8 when that happened. Then, Mama and Jimmy were married when I was in the 5th grade. So, I had 2 families. Who spoiled me. It was GREAT! Now, was life perfect. HECK NO! But it was pretty dang good. Did my parents badmouth each other in front of me? Nope. Not ever. They still don't to this day. In fact, I do not even know now what the "visitation schedule" was. I saw my Daddy whenever I wanted. In fact, we laugh because I would start around Wednesday calling around to see who had the best weekend plans, to decide where I was going on Friday night.

Time goes on, life happens...I grow up. Are there things I would change if I could? Probably. But maybe not, because those things shaped me into the person I am today. And I am a believer in the Butterfly Effect. If one thing had changed, I might not be here today, waiting to wake up my Dan Reid, JC, and Sadie, writing this blog. Life is what it is, and I am a survivor. You muddle through, and make the best of what you are given. Even though I was literally heartbroken when all of my parents divorced (Yep, all. Both sets), I survived. Then, Jimmy died. And that was another HUGE blow to me. But I survived. And life went on, with 3/4 of my parents.

Then, my Daddy reconnected with a friend from years ago, and we got our Janet and our Hannah. Wow. Now, I had a sister and a brother. A little girl to dote on! It was great. But Mama and Moe weren't settled. There was a part of me that was always worried about them, especially as I was living with my other half. Something that in retrospect, I was able to see that they had never experienced being married to my Daddy. It just wasn't the "perfect fit" that Dan and I have. And that Daddy and Janet have.

So, several years later, Mama meets someone. He is great! He is HER other half! Buster has completed my mom and made her happier and more content than I have ever seen her. He is good to me, good to Josef, and good to my kids. We LOVE our Buster!

But, there was STILL one unsettled parent. One who I just did not believe had found her perfect compliment. Then, she found Peggy, and I began to believe the perfect compliment had been found. Peggy has the best Nerf Gun wars with JC, and dotes on Sadie's intelligence. She has been an awesome grandparent, like the others. She takes her turns picking up sick kids, delivering medicine when needed, and babysitting.

All of that leads up to this. As I sat on my porch this morning, it hit me that ALL of my parents are now MARRIED to their other halves. All of them. Did it take a while? Yep. But, I can now rest easy that they are all doted on, honored, and loved by the person who completes them. And guess what else? I was there to witness all 3 weddings. I am a lucky girl!

So, today, I sit here, grateful that my family has love. Love and tolerance of all.

Congratulations! And thank you Janet, Buster, and Peggy for loving my parents, and taking care of them. I KNOW they aren't the easiest people to love!