My husband has three sons. I only gave birth to the youngest, but I love them all unconditionally.
I love my husband very much. So from day one it was extremely important for me to make it as easy as possible for him to see his boys as often as possible and to make sure they felt comfortable and welcome when they stayed in our home. It hasn't always been easy, especially early on when there was a lot of misinformation about me going around and a lot of misplaced anger. But we persevered and I now have a really good relationship with both. Being a step parent is much harder than you can imagine unless you're one yourself. Juggling the needs of someone else's children with those of your own child without showing favouritism is particularly difficult and looking back I see how I actually over compensated and it was in fact the youngest son who missed out.
I've known the two older boys (to be fair they are men now) since they were 7 and 10 years old, more than 20 years. I've watched them grow into fine young men and though we don't share blood I couldn't be prouder of them. Both have found amazing women to share their lives with and the eldest now has a child of his own. Yes I'm a grammy now!! That's really what you want for your children (and they ARE my children too) - happiness, love and health. I want them all to have the kind of relationship that I have with their dad.
The youngest son, the one I helped create, is finishing high school in a few weeks and is off to college next year. He's currently learning to drive! He's growing into a fine young man too. He may be bit too much like me at times (fiery temper comes to mind) but he's also intelligent, sensitive, kind and loving. He's gathering a group of quality friends around him that will hopefully see him through to the end of his teens and into adult life. I'm proud of him too. I want for him what his brothers have found in their relationships and what I have in mine. I hope the family he creates gives him as much joy as mine gives me.
In my world family is everything. When I was younger I dreamed of having a daughter, but sadly that just wasn't meant to be. Our daughter, Jessica Rose, never opened her eyes. But now I have not one but TWO daughters-in-law who I love spending time with and a grand daughter that I absolutely adore. What blessings!!
I'm not interested in travelling overseas or going on adventures. I don't need bright lights and big cities or to play tourist. I'm content, no I'm more than content, to spend quality time with family and friends. Inviting all the offspring with their families over for a big homecooked meal makes me happy. Perhaps that's my Italian heritage talking. Hosting Christmas lunch or a barbeque, Sunday lunch or birthday celebrations and welcoming family into our home. That's where I find so much joy. I consider looking after our grand daughter (Grammy Daycare) a huge honour and privilege. Although I am very tired by the end of a day my heart is always so full.
When people talk about their exciting holidays and tell me I should go there or do that I always wonder why. Why do they think I should? This year I turned 50. I live with the love of my life and the youngest son in our comfortable home on top of a peaceful hill in an absolutely beautiful corner of Australia. I have family and friends here to fill my heart and I have dogs, goats, chickens and a garden to keep me busy. I have a creative space and the time to use it. I'm more than happy with our quiet existance here .... it's more than enough.
Family is everything to me.
