Motherhood Part 3

On May 12, 2007 I became the wife to Tim, the Step-Mother to Josh and the Mother-In-Law to Christina. I was so excited by all the possibilities that came with all of those titles. My Mom thought it was hilarious that I was becoming a mother-in-law. The title made me feel old at first, but knowing I was going to be the Mother-In-Law to Christina made me feel good. It made me want to be the best mother-in-law ever. I was also very excited to be a step-mother. When people would ask me if I had any kids, I could finally say "YES!"

There were only ten years difference in my age and "the kids" as I would often refer to them. Josh & Christina accepted me immediately. They would come over at least once every 4 to 6 weeks to hang out at our house. We would all watch some movies together and "the kids" had a Nintendo Wii that they would bring for us to play sometimes. Tim & Josh had a way of disappearing to the office to get on the computer, which always left plenty of time for me and Christina to talk.

In between visits there were phone calls and emails. I always looked forward to emails from Josh. He would always get sent the funniest emails I had ever seen and he would forward them on to me. We were a happy family of 4. I often thought about the possibility of becoming a grandmother down the road, when they were ready of course. It was an exciting possibility.

My greatest treasure came during Mother's Day weekend of 2008. Josh had to work on Sundays, so they called and asked if they could come by the Saturday before Mother's Day. I honestly didn't think much about it. I figured they were stopping by to see their mothers and they must be trying to squeeze in a visit to us as well. They lived somewhere between 45 minutes to an hour away. So it wasn't unusual for them to come by if they were in town to see their other parents all on the same day. However, this day would be different. Not long after getting in the house they handed me a bag and a card and said "Happy Mother's Day." I was absolutely shocked. I didn't expect anything from them for Mother's Day. As I read the card I teared up. Inside they had written that there was plenty of room in their lives for another Mother and they were happy to have me in their lives. I was absolutely speechless! Inside the bag I found the most beautiful fairy. I was a Mother on Mother's Day 2008. No one told them to write the loving note in the card. No one told them to buy me a gift. That day was just a way for them to show me how they felt about me.

Sadly on May 20, 2009 my marriage to Tim was officially over. So far I have been able to stay in contact with Christina through phone calls and text messages. I know that losing them is to be expected. However, I don't think I'll ever lose their friendship. Twelve years ago in 1997 I thought I was taking away all my chances of motherhood when I had my surgery. In the space of ten years I became an aunt, a mother to a basset hound, and then I was actually called Mom. Right now I don't know what my future holds. I guess I'll just sit back and see what God has in store for me in the future because He sure has given me the most amazing gifts in the form of nieces, nephews, a stepson, and a daughter- in-law.