Connie, I have 6 nieces, 2 great nieces, and a great nephew. None of them are related by blood but we all are connected by love.
I also have, and not incidently, two grandchildren the children of my adopted son (he was 9 when we adopted him). None of the children in my life are blood related but all are my grandchildren or nieces or nephews. I am rich!
This is beautiful:) Loving on purpose is a decided love because you wanted to:) I’m behind on reading and every time I come to your space I think of how good you are at creating community. I feel like I could sit with so many people commenting here and relax. Don’t have alot of that. Watched the VP debate last night and realized that the one I’m ashamed that he is from my state proved that he doesn’t care about any families.
My Dearest Connie, thank-you for always making my heart smile and my eyes pour! Your thoughts and observations always confirm my feelings regarding family, both human and canine/feline… so grateful for both in my life.
I am married a second time after being a widow for 5 years. I call my husbands children either my bonus children or children. And their children ARE my grandchildren. I am their grandmother and we are a proud blended family.
I never went through childbirth (or at least, not on the delivery side), but have two kids, who have a partner and a wife, and 8 grandkids, not all of whom are related by blood to those who parented them. Blood doesn’t matter a whit, I would still move mountains for any of them.
Our dog has a degenerative disease for which there is no medical help, and it’s become apparent that it’s time to do what we must. My daughter and one of the grands is coming tomorrow night, fortuitously, and will help dig a hole for our long legged hound. Good thing, as neither I nor my heart-patient husband are really up to that particular task. The teen & his mom will probably end up doing most of the heavy work, I’ll help, and Grampy will supervise. Daughter and son have to be elsewhere later, so the actual task of taking our old friend to the vet, bringing him home, and putting him to rest will fall to us in the afternoon. I’m grateful to have the help in the morning, as we would have to resort to cremation otherwise, instead of putting him next to other furry family members.
We hadn’t intended to get another dog, but a long time friend has gone into hospice this week, and asked me to take his canine companion, knowing that I couldn’t turn him down. So at some point, we will have another pooch to occupy the various dog beds, use the dishes and leashes, and shed on the rug. It’s not the first time I’ve inherited a pet, a, our big black cat Tupac can attest, but I hope it won’t be something I’ll be called upon to do again. It’s been a rough couple weeks.
“ I love you on purpose” what a wonderful feeling to share with all of us, thank-you so much ! You always provide meaningful experiences which make me feel hopeful for the world we currently live.
I’m dating a man who has 3 adult stepchildren. When we first started dating and I was figuring out the family dynamic he explained that “in our family we don’t use the word “Step”. I thought that was a lovely sentiment. After the kid’s mother passed away they, as full grown adults with children of their own, asked my boyfriend to formally adopt them, which he did. He was the only father they had ever known and he was happy to formalize that relationship. Family is truly who you want to be in your life and when you find it, it’s such a beautiful thing.
I was the accidental child of two young kids, 19 and 20, very deliberately given up at birth for adoption. Three months later, I went home with my parents. An adopted baby sister came when I was 5. We were “blended” insofar as we were clearly not genetic relatives, but we were a nuclear family.
My daughters were my first biological relatives. I marveled to watch my physical and personality traits tumbled with my husband’s and recombined in them. And when I later connected with my biological uncle on my sire’s side, there was resonance.
But resonance doesn’t make family. Love and commitment does. And commitment is a choice you make every single day.
You were separated from your own children and grandchildren by "the pandemic?" Explain to me how a new strain of the same virus that causes the common cold prevented you from seeing your family.
So hoping Sherrod will be able to run for the open Ohio Senate seat. Ohio needs his stability and leadership more than ever
Connie, I have 6 nieces, 2 great nieces, and a great nephew. None of them are related by blood but we all are connected by love.
I also have, and not incidently, two grandchildren the children of my adopted son (he was 9 when we adopted him). None of the children in my life are blood related but all are my grandchildren or nieces or nephews. I am rich!
This is beautiful:) Loving on purpose is a decided love because you wanted to:) I’m behind on reading and every time I come to your space I think of how good you are at creating community. I feel like I could sit with so many people commenting here and relax. Don’t have alot of that. Watched the VP debate last night and realized that the one I’m ashamed that he is from my state proved that he doesn’t care about any families.
My Dearest Connie, thank-you for always making my heart smile and my eyes pour! Your thoughts and observations always confirm my feelings regarding family, both human and canine/feline… so grateful for both in my life.
“I love you on purpose.” What a delightful sweet
reply.
I am married a second time after being a widow for 5 years. I call my husbands children either my bonus children or children. And their children ARE my grandchildren. I am their grandmother and we are a proud blended family.
I never went through childbirth (or at least, not on the delivery side), but have two kids, who have a partner and a wife, and 8 grandkids, not all of whom are related by blood to those who parented them. Blood doesn’t matter a whit, I would still move mountains for any of them.
Our dog has a degenerative disease for which there is no medical help, and it’s become apparent that it’s time to do what we must. My daughter and one of the grands is coming tomorrow night, fortuitously, and will help dig a hole for our long legged hound. Good thing, as neither I nor my heart-patient husband are really up to that particular task. The teen & his mom will probably end up doing most of the heavy work, I’ll help, and Grampy will supervise. Daughter and son have to be elsewhere later, so the actual task of taking our old friend to the vet, bringing him home, and putting him to rest will fall to us in the afternoon. I’m grateful to have the help in the morning, as we would have to resort to cremation otherwise, instead of putting him next to other furry family members.
We hadn’t intended to get another dog, but a long time friend has gone into hospice this week, and asked me to take his canine companion, knowing that I couldn’t turn him down. So at some point, we will have another pooch to occupy the various dog beds, use the dishes and leashes, and shed on the rug. It’s not the first time I’ve inherited a pet, a, our big black cat Tupac can attest, but I hope it won’t be something I’ll be called upon to do again. It’s been a rough couple weeks.
“ I love you on purpose” what a wonderful feeling to share with all of us, thank-you so much ! You always provide meaningful experiences which make me feel hopeful for the world we currently live.
There are people I love on purpose....my granddaughter-in-law and grandson-in-law. Their mates chose wisely!
Just when I thought I might get through your thoughts without a tear, you went and wrote about Franklin....and my heart came rolling down my cheek!
This was a really wonderful essay, Connie!
I love you on purpose.
Beautiful.
I’m dating a man who has 3 adult stepchildren. When we first started dating and I was figuring out the family dynamic he explained that “in our family we don’t use the word “Step”. I thought that was a lovely sentiment. After the kid’s mother passed away they, as full grown adults with children of their own, asked my boyfriend to formally adopt them, which he did. He was the only father they had ever known and he was happy to formalize that relationship. Family is truly who you want to be in your life and when you find it, it’s such a beautiful thing.
I was the accidental child of two young kids, 19 and 20, very deliberately given up at birth for adoption. Three months later, I went home with my parents. An adopted baby sister came when I was 5. We were “blended” insofar as we were clearly not genetic relatives, but we were a nuclear family.
My daughters were my first biological relatives. I marveled to watch my physical and personality traits tumbled with my husband’s and recombined in them. And when I later connected with my biological uncle on my sire’s side, there was resonance.
But resonance doesn’t make family. Love and commitment does. And commitment is a choice you make every single day.
That was hard to read through tears.
Love makes a family.
Loved individuals.
I get weepy when people genuinely get it.
Sad to know so many don't and never will.
Many possible contributing reasons, but I wish they could believe it is real and stop trying to destroy what they don"t understand.
I think envy is driving them.
You have a beautiful family and are equipping them for lifestyle trials.
Beautiful.
You were separated from your own children and grandchildren by "the pandemic?" Explain to me how a new strain of the same virus that causes the common cold prevented you from seeing your family.