My daughters and I lived, as a family of 3 for 14 years. Their father never had much to do with them. They were my world from their first breaths and will be until my last. They have always been the true constant of my world. I have made many mistakes as a mother and for that I can never apologize enough. My husband has accepted them as his own as well. He refers to them as his daughters, just as I refer to his sons as my sons. There is no reference to step children. They are our children, good or bad.
There will be times when these children will make some horrible decisions and have to suffer through some pretty bad consequenses for them, As a parent I would change places with any of them in a second. But this is not how they will learn about life. The hardest part is watching the lesson they will have to learn. I am sure before its all said and done my heart, as well as my husbands will be ripped to shreds and trampled on but it will all be worth it when they come to us and say thank you for always being there for me and I love you. I will always be there for all of them. No matter what the situation they are my children, no matter how old they get Mama will be here......always. Even when I am not so proud of what you may have chosen to do that will remain constant the love a mother has for her children. I love you Celeste, Tyler, Kersten and Shawn........forever.
Their friends often come over and now I am sort of an "adopted" mom to many of them as well. One in particular tells me I am more like his Mom than his birth mother. This breaks my heart for him but also makes me feel like I am at least making a difference in his life. I give him advice, an ear to listen and a voice to give him guidance.
