Joyful sorrow
“He that raises a large family does, indeed, while he lives to observe them, stand a broader mark for sorrow; but then he stands a broader mark for pleasure too.” – Benjamin Franklin
Today, we are surrounded by our beautiful family–dinner at R.’s sister’s home with 35 family and friends. There will be a beautiful table set, laughter that will shake the walls, terrific food, and love that has and will endure all. But with all the crowd and bustle, we will still dearly miss our oldest girl and oldest boy…
It is the pain of sharing their lives with another set of parents. And, though we constantly remind them of their gifts of two large families who love them deeply, it will never change the void that rests in the hearts of the parent that they are away from.
We miss L’s ear-piercing laughter, his quiet little mubbling of the words he does not yet know (”Hmm ha hmmm apple juice”) We miss D’s smile, her gentle shyness, and watching her play with her younger siblings. Happy birthday, D. You’re 6 today, sweetpea. We’ll love you always…
Our joys and our sorrows…Ultimately, our joy more than anything, for even if they aren’t with us, they are somewhere in the world loving and living happily as they should be. For that we are grateful…
relationship, love, children, stepfamily, birthday, separation, togetherness
April 2nd, 2007 at 2:03 am
oil of olay…
I Googled for something completely different, but found your page…and have to say thanks. nice read….