Passions in Prose |
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Assignments From My Daughter #8 |
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Larry C![]()
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286United States ![]() |
Assignments From My Daughter #8 By Larry Chadwick L.L. Bean wasn’t really her style. But then again that hat. She had to have that hat. It would work so perfect with her classroom. So she sat down at her computer and proceeded to write a whole sequence of topic titles. Relying on her kindergarten experience she got her scissors out and separated each title into a single paper strip. When they were folded in half they went into her hat. And the hat went to her high school English classroom. It would do her juniors and seniors good to write impromptu papers on random topics. Assignment #8 “You Can’t Chose Your Relatives”: And there I was going home with two young kids who told me they were my mom and dad. Nobody even asked me who I wanted. Not too long after that I was one of two young kids once again at the hospital. From there I headed home with a brand new baby and was so proud to inform him that I was his dad. That was when it dawned on me that not only could I not chose my parents but I couldn’t chose my kids. That took me about as long to adjust to as getting over the gender of my son. I remember meeting my cousins but remember nothing of meeting my aunts and uncles. With thirty-two aunts and uncles and over sixty cousins that is a lot of family to not be able to chose. In fact, that is enough family to guarantee skeletons in the closet. Some have been in jail, one has been a sexual abuser and some opted out of maturity being related to age. Then my ex-wife remarried and my family expanded in ways I never considered. But all of these people are my relatives. I’ve seen people disowned as family as if they were part of a church where excommunications happen. I had an aunt who tried that once on my brother and me when I was twelve years old. That is my family and I did not chose them and I am forever grateful of that truth. Because as hard as it has been I have learned to love them all. You can’t chose your relatives either. But if you think it through you will have to admit that is a good thing. Remember it is easy to love the lovely and anyone can do that. It seems to me that one of the best things about how life progresses is to accept that you can’t chose your family. But the hardest part is learning to love the family you can’t chose. Both of my children did that very well. And the order of their gender never mattered. May 11, 2003 If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again. |
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© Copyright 2003 Larry Chadwick - All Rights Reserved | |||
Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
. Remember it is easy to love the lovely and anyone can do that. It seems to me that one of the best things about how life progresses is to accept that you can’t chose your family. But the hardest part is learning to love the family you can’t chose. Both of my children did that very well. And the order of their gender never mattered. ============================== once again...I learn from your insight and persepctive of wisdom. My family takes testing acceptance to new heights. ![]() Im not surprised at all that you ended up with such great kids...its in the bloodlines and gene pool ![]() ![]() |
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Larry C![]()
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286United States |
JM, Trust me...with nearly 100 people in just two generations there was plenty of testing! LOL Thank you for such generous words and for your faithfulness. You mean so much to me. ![]() If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again. |
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Skyfire![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
since 2000-12-27
Posts 3381Riding |
"But the hardest part is learning to love the family you can’t chose" Don't I know it ![]() |
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Marilyn Member Elite
since 1999-09-26
Posts 2621Ontario, Canada |
Well done. We could never learn how to let go of things or how to love unconditionally if we could choose our family. Enjoyed this. Marilyn |
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Larry C![]()
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286United States |
Rhonda, You too, eh? But there is a good return in the effort. Trust me! ![]() Marilyn, Ain't that the truth. Thank you for reading and sharing. ![]() If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again. |
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Dark Angel Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095 |
Sigh, this one really touched me Larry. You're absolutely right! Maree ![]() The clouds never expect it when it rains, but the sea, changes colour, but the sea, does not change. |
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Larry C![]()
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286United States |
Maree, I think it's a challenge some refuse to accept. And thank you. ![]() If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again. |
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miscellanea Member Elite
since 2004-06-24
Posts 4060OH |
Larry, More and more, I want to respond to your daughter's assignments. Between her assignments and your responses, I'm eager to read more and someday do the homework myself. Miss C. sure had a lot on the ball when she chose her topics! Her students were lucky to have such a caring and perceptive teacher. I wish I could have met her. misc'a/cathy |
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Mysteria![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Her students sure were lucky but then her assignments are being dished out here by a person responsible for making sure they are carried out ![]() |
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Larry C![]()
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286United States |
Cathy, And they knew what they had. It was a very tragic loss. Thank you for being so kind and showing so much interest. ![]() Sharon, Those are generous words that indeed blessed my soul and put a smile on my face. Thank you dear friend. ![]() |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
Larry? I hadn't read these before. I confess #8 was my first. I was afraid of these as I thought they make me too sad, but no... this gave me hope and comfort. And you m'love are a total joy. ![]() You teach us through her. amazing |
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Larry C![]()
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286United States |
Well Karen, You just continue to bless my heart. Thank you. Actually with the exception of the prologue most of these pieces are upbeat. There are, I think two exceptions. But you know...it is my world - not all positive. Go figure. Seems I'm preaching to the choir so I'll shut up. But you, dear girl are a delight. And there are 28 more so don't feel obligated just 'cause you peeked at one! ![]() If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again. |
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