an open letter to the father of my kids for Father's Day

17 Jun 2006 20:17 (Edited: 17 Jun 2006 20:17)

As teachers we deal with other people's kids and therefore other people's family situations on a daily basis. Over the many years both of us have been involved in education, we have seen everything from conventional and unconventional nuclear families, to the most immature vindictiveness of people who used their kids as weapons against each other, to beautiful examples of people who chose, even when their life paths took them in separate ways, to remain friends and always wish the best for each other and for their children. I feel very fortunate at this point in my life, to have such a man be the father of our children. Marie is a wonderful woman, and I see how happy you two are together. She is very good to our three kids and her little boy, Jordan loves you. You are so much happier than I have seen you in a long time. You are supportive of the path my life has taken. When you told me I looked happier than I had in years and that you were convinced this was a good thing, it meant a lot coming from you. It was a lot of fun to attend the JPL Open House as one big family. How much better is that, than if our kids felt like they had to choose which side of the family to side with? Yes, I know there are still people in their lives that want them to make that kind of choice, but I know they appreciate and are relieved that their parents are mature enough not to do that to them.
As a photographer, I did a beautiful set of pictures a few months ago. The mom, the dad, mom’s husband and dad’s wife all came with their children. These children had four wonderful people who loved them and they knew it. The true power of choosing love over hatred is so beautiful. Life is not a fairy tale where everyone lives happily ever after together with the same person forever, especially after the neat and tidy first act. We grow, we change, we move on to other stages and people sometimes. None of us were blameless for our lives taking the turns they did. But we were not evil people, we were humans with human needs and imperfections and had the maturity eventually to love each other enough to know that sometimes the greatest love one can have for another is to let go and let them grow, even if it means apart from us. Instead of bitterly holding onto something that has died and is rotting, one regains a friend. And for that, I am very grateful. Happy Father’s day, Chris!

your friend, Josi

enjoy the pictures! [ link ]

List of my blog entries

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User comments

• by dsstrlght @ 17 Jun 2006 20:28

  Marie and Chris with Joseph, Gregory and Elizabeth at the JPL Open House May 20th 2006. We had so much fun with you!

• by emossuck @ 18 Jun 2006 22:53

  "Very toching indeed."-DAD
  x) Thank you and yes that was an awsome day and I know my brothers and myself look forward to many more "big family" outings like that, and with Jordan too.

• by dsstrlght @ 19 Jun 2006 19:36

  you guys are all great kids >:D<

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