Thursday, April 28, 2011

The Monomoy



Do I even dare write about just how good things are going inside my blended family?  I have just made a decision that my stepson as a married man of almost 3 years now is capable of being reasonable and fair in the scheme of things.  And he is mindful of the fact that we are two families living under one roof and we have to pull together as if we were all in a monomoy and rowing in unison.

It has been brought to my attentions that in China and even in Europe including India extended families stay together and nurture each other. I am not saying it’s a ‘til death do us part but for now right or wrong I am feeling more calm, less stressed and most importantly less resentful about my living arrangements. In this economy there is not really any alternative and even if I wanted my stepson and daughter in law to move out it wouldn’t be now.

My daughter in law makes me smile everyday especially when she changes the inflection in her voice and sounds so “American”, it’s as if she has learned the colloquial dialect of a Long Island woman.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Paradigm Shift



It’s been a long time since I have made an entry into Step Dad and mainly it’s due to the fact that my stepson and I are on the best of terms since I don’t know when. At first I thought it was all due to the paradigm shift that took place between my ears, but I know that relationships don’t work that way. And so maybe there was a thoughtful change in my son as well but since I can only control my own thoughts and actions I need not speculate on what went on in his brain. All I know is that my step fathering status is like I have always wanted. He asks my advice again and I make sure that I stop whatever I am doing and open both ears and keep my mouth shut. And before I do speak instead of a quick response I listen to my heart before I part my lips.