Archive for the ‘family’ Category
Good Luck Jackie
Today is the start of Finals for Miss Jackie.
Senior year is 2/3 over. Wow. I remember her first day of Kinder , and driving her to Middle School, and the first time she had homework in second grade. I remember play groups and feeding ducks, sewing dresses with her and years and years of Girl Scout meetings.
I am amazed to think that this time next year she will almost be done with her first year of college.
She's wearing her thinking cap ...
I am not amazed that she is smart, sweet, and such a nice person. She always has been.
Today is Spanish – “Ugg”, she says when I ask her about the teacher, the class and does she want to watch Plaza Sesamo with Darla and pretend it is studying for her test.
I know she doesn’t need luck. she is smart and she has worked for this success – but what am I supposed to say?
Family
As Darla turns 1 year old, I get to think about what family means.
When I was a child, I was adopted by Lloyd and Judy Keith. Or, Daddy and Mrs Keith , as she was a teacher at Holly Avenue where I was a student of Rose Fox.
Family
My family of origin was comprised of 4 children, Shawna, Shane, Sonya and Scott. Our mother was Sheila and we had a variety of fathers from what I surmise. The 1960’s and 1970’s was an era of free love, drugs, and really ugly clothing. For my mother, it was a time to try to find herself, validate herself through relationships with men, and self medicate her problems with drugs and alcohol. Needless to say – this did not make her the best mother.
I always felt loved and wanted. I think that made all the difference in the world. I knew my biological mother loved me and when I was adopted into a swarm of Sible and Keith family members – it was with enthusiasm, love and an absolute welcome that is still there today. We are legion and I love them back.
Family is not just of blood and bone, it is made of life long commitment to never let you go through life alone.
Some of you have been my friends since before I had my current legal Keith family. You have been with me this whole time and are my family too.
Planning Darla’s first birthday party I get to see the RSVP list and see names that were here for Jackie’s arrival in the world, and names that were here from when I was a child.
I am working on defining what family means, who our family is and mostly – trying to find the time to thank you who have been so faithful to our bond this whole time.
So, here is “another silly question”, what does family mean to you, and what will you do to protect and preserve that bond?
Auntie, Norma, girls
The 5 Nelson Women: Auntie Roberta and Nana Norma, Abigail, Darla and Melanie
Darla's Mom 