Raising kids is tough work - power to the single parents truly doing this alone. Raising step-kids I still think tougher than dealing with your own. The past two years have been a true test. A test from teenagers struggling to find their way, to our youngest realizing some ugly truths, a test of marriage and commitment, of love and respect and ultimately of strength and patience.
I thought we had a pretty good family unit for a while - we are a blended family and one who always operated pretty well. Without knowing if it is due to true teen angst, suppressed hatred or anger or 'rumblings' amongst households, we have had quite a show of drama. Some typical, some not. I ask myself 'is this what I put my parents through?'. I know it isn't - maybe a slight version but not the ugliness we have had.
All I can say is the grace and patience my husband has shown through the disrespect, the slaps in the face, the boldface lies, sleepless nights is that of Jobe. He has held me as I shake and say "I just cannot do this", has put up with my frustration, has stood strong, has buckled, has had his own moments of jerkdom but has held it together more than not and most of all has shown love every step of the way. Of course not everyone sees it that way....Maybe one day...
So here I am, back to my virtual diary and the therapy it brings. Hoping that we have turned a bit of a corner in our personal little space in this world. Stay tuned.
From a stronger me
