Life seems to have a way of opening doors for us to exercise our character. I will try to keep this long story short...
I divorced my ex-husband over 20 years ago. My ex, who was the youngest of four brothers, was adopted to a distant family member when he was three and raised as an only child. While the ex and I were married, he met his oldest brother 'Jimmy'. After my divorce, I got to know Jimmy better as he kept in contact to know my children, his only neices and nephew. The brothers (my ex and Jimmy) never established much of a relationship and later basically disowned each other. The other two brothers have sadly died.
Jimmy's health is deteriorating, and so he moved this week to Oregon, to be near his only remaining 'family' which is me, my kids and grandbabies. I have promised to look out for him and to be here to help as he needs.
Tonight, Jimmy came over for a bbq with us- all the kids and grandbabies came. Jimmy beamed to be with 'family' finally. Of course we welcome him with open arms...I just have to smile at how this life story has played out. And I am glad that fate brought Jimmy into my kids lives. Since my brother died before marrying- and my ex was basically an only child....my kids would have never known an uncle or aunt...but because of Jimmy, they are blessed with that relationship. And Jimmy has no family left....so he loves me and the kids as his family.
We kept the bbq cheap...just on sale hamburger, buns and DD1 brought some pasta salad...the whole night cost about $20 for 14 of us. It was a nice way to welcome 'Uncle Jimmy' home...and just like that, our 'immediate' family grew by one more. 
Family....sometimes its complicated.
July 10th, 2011 at 02:32 am
July 10th, 2011 at 02:49 am 1310266177
July 10th, 2011 at 02:59 am 1310266756
July 10th, 2011 at 04:17 am 1310271428
Now that I'm a mom I really really wish I could be an aunt, but alas, it will never happen. I'll never have neices or nephews (hubby an only child, my sister can't have kids), so I kind of understand why it means so much to Uncle Jimmy to have that connection.
July 10th, 2011 at 01:37 pm 1310305079
July 10th, 2011 at 02:41 pm 1310308873
My ex-stepmother said to me once, "Love counts more than blood when it comes to making a family." She was a bridesmaid in my wedding (my father married his 3rd wife when he was 32, she was 21, and I was 13.) By the time I was 20, they were divorced, I was getting married and we were still close. I'm immune to what people thing. I love to hear stories like this!
July 10th, 2011 at 03:04 pm 1310310267
July 10th, 2011 at 04:47 pm 1310316423