A woman from my hometown had a brother pass away recently. He had two teen children whom she has taken into her home. The mother is ill and unable.  

So, this week: Two children move from a large town to a small town, from their home, from their mother. Still in pain from the loss of their father, etc.

Two other children gain new cousins as ‘siblings‘...share a tiny home, and their parents.

Four children adjust....

Two parents: gaining endless opportunities of love and joy and though I do not want to say losses~ There will be times of sacrifice through this adjustment, misunderstandings and overreactions and a lot of hard work. I mean, how do you do this? Each person involved is altered. Some will have problems coping to say the least. None of us come with a how to fix me manual. We are all so different and require unique solutions.

I can imagine ‘because I said so’s’ pertaining to rules of the house, etc. Over topics your own children would not dispute because they know how things work in the home. I imagine as many aching hearts as boastful hearts of times when you wish the biological parent(s) could be here too. (a first dance, a great game, a big hug from out of know-where)  When seemingly un-noticed tenderness between the new children simply stops your heart. They are grateful, you are grateful. Are my own children this sweet to each other too?  

I imagine a defensiveness toward both sets of siblings in a way that comes from the deepest part of your heart...‘don’t speak to MY son in that way’ ... ‘don’t speak to MY nephew that way‘.   I imagine strained schedules, bright additional eyes at the dinner table, a few eye rolls. These are in fact teens. I see additional input at family meetings, positive voices and otherwise.  Additional grocery bills and laundry. I imagine frustration and a swelling weight of responsibility, immense pride. A cheerleader’s chant from the team of parents of now four constantly enforcing: ‘We are going to make this work we are a family‘. I imagine hopeful moments of trying to fix little broken hearts and wondering if everyone is going to be okay. Yet, chanting and chanting away.

When the house is silent all are tucked in...maybe no one is even sleeping...I imagine feeling scared and so very blessed and all at the same time. I’m sure she would have these children no place else. She a great mom.