I can honestly say, for just about my whole life, I have been a member of a blended family. I hated being a step-child as a youngster and couldn’t fathom why my parents were unable to make things work. As an adult, I now know that relationships aren’t as cut and dry as I once thought. There is a great deal of work that goes into any successful relationship. My parents were young and didn’t have a clue as to the proper tools needed to be happy in love. They went their separate ways early on and those actions actually brought several blessings into my life.
I admit my mom, dad and I may have ended up miserable had my parents not made that decision so many years ago. My dad married when I was a small child and I have half brothers and a sister that I simply adore. My mom also married and gave me two sisters that I can’t imagine my life without. Our blended family has had challenges. We have experienced divorce, the unfortunate loss of my stepfather, and a new marriage years later. Yet, through it all, I have never felt any less loved by either of my parents.
It’s never easy when hurt and disappointment enter our lives, especially when it’s matters of the heart. There is a certain amount of healing that needs to happen for each individual as well as the children. Of course, the child doesn’t normally have a say in the choices their parents make. I remember as a child, facing the fact that it is what it is and I have to deal with it. My only hope was that neither of my parents forgot to love me. And neither of them missed a beat, especially my mom.
Today, I can actually say I am grateful that each of my parents was able to move forward and find love again. If they hadn’t, I don’t know that I would have been blessed with such a wonderful set of siblings. My sisters and brothers love me unconditionally no matter which parent I belong to.
Just recently, my mom remarried and has blessed me even further with a new step sister and brother, who happen to be very close in age to me. As adults, we now have a wonderful opportunity to build a great friendship. I am excited about my parent’s happiness and I am thankful for the blessings all around me.
BMWK, what are the blessings in your blended family?