This past week, we had parent-teacher conferences for Jack. I read through the tears Jack’s 6th grade English paper -The Tragedy, about Jack learning that his mom Sarah had died. Jack was 3 at the time and is 11 now. I married this amazing family 4 1/2 years ago and although blending while mending has its own challenges, I wouldn’t trade a thing. Never replacing. Always honoring and remembering. For me as their stepmom, all I can do is love them. And then love them some more. And now I know that Jack sees that. And my heart is a little more full today.
The last paragraph:
“Now my dad has remarried and I have an older stepbrother and stepmom. My stepmom has really made this whole situation better and helped me when I was low. Even though I’ve given her some real bad moments, she has always made it better and just helped me. My stepbrother is also a great guy. Even though we get into fights, he gives me advice and helps me. Life is great now and we are doing well, we still think about her every so often and hope she is in a better place. I’ve learned from this that even though some bad things can happen in your life, someone or something can help you.”
Tears again just reading this. What hard lessons to endure at such a young age. Some days I second guess myself as a parent. Some days this whole blending thing is freaking hard. And we are all just doing the best we can. But at the end of the day, we love hard. Our messy but beautiful imperfect family, full of fights, laughter, tears and most importantly fierce unconditional love.
Jack’s lesson is one that we can all learn from. The reality is that bad things will happen in our lives. Unexpected change. Heartbreaking challenges. Hard hard times that we never saw coming. Adversity. Times when we aren’t sure how we will make it or move forward, when we are tested and shaken to our core. But there are others that are there to help make the bad better. And to help us get up and move forward.
Be that someone that is helping others when bad things happen.
More love. Always more love. Be the love. Be the light when bad things happen.
Big love,
Kim
