My Children, and My "Chidren"

     I was blessed with four children, Tyffany, Cory, Amy, and Jacklyn.  Unfortunately, Amy was a "placenta previa" baby born way too early, and returned to God after a few brief hours of life.  If I haven't written about this, I think I may need to, as this incident rippled through much of my life.  I am very proud of my children, Tyff has a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy, and walks the walk, talks the talk, and is a vocal advocate for children in foster care.  Cory is an MA1 in the Navy, and has decided to make it a career, making three consecutive generations of career sailors in my family.  Jacki is the Office Manager at the Animal Care Center here in town, and looking to move somewhere outside of California in the near future.  She doesn't know that I will have a really hard time with it, but I am willing to bear it if it is best for her.  I would do anything for my children.

     My "children," on the other hand, are a group of special souls who have been friends with my kids, and always felt like part of the family.  These are too numerous to name, because I know I would forget someone, and possibly hurt their feelings because of the omission.  There have been dozens of them over the years. I believe it was due to the fact that we had rules in our house, they were firmly enforced, and they didn't change with the seasons, so to speak.  They were simple, easy to remember, and violations were dealt with in a loving and respectful manner.  Mary always called it the three R's of discipline, the three R's were, "Related," "Reasonable," and most of all "Respectful".  At least for the ones we "adopted" as our children grew up, before they left home.

     There haven't been many since we became "empty nesters," although we've had a few.  One young woman in particular, and you know who you are, has been especially close to our family, and has attended family activities, the whole nine yards.  She's leaving for Newfoundland at some point soon, and as much as it pains me to do so, I'm going to have to really say good-bye, knowing it will be the last time I see her in this life.  I guess the old addage is true, in order to really love someone, you have to let them go.  Good-bye my little Canknucklehead.  Have a great life.