Our nephew has been living with us for over two weeks. Tracy registered him for school today. We will be more-than-interested bystanders in court down in Barnstable this Friday to see if we get to keep him, at least for the time being. The parents each have attorneys, and Mass social services will be entering a report of some sort. If the judge doesn't make a decision then, perhaps a GAL will be appointed or something.
Our part is to sit there with our offer that he can stay as long as he needs to, hoping, perhaps, that we will be called on to discuss our qualifications or opinions.
We have kidded over the last year about the nest emptying. The last time it was about to empty (eight years ago) we went and got two teenagers from Romania. Now that they are very close to launched, Tracy advocated for and got two dachshunds. Friends teased us, asking if we were going to go get more children somewhere. We laughingly assured them that we had no interest in that.
Well, we didn't. It's hard to be interested in "more children" in the abstract. But flesh-and-blood children appearing out of the blue in tough circumstances we care about easily. It's daunting, but he's kinda fun. We may get to keep him: 5+ years to HS graduation plus whatever after. We'll know more later.
Life changes. This is God saying "Don't make plans. I might have plans." Expectations and even fantasies change. This week's fantasy has been some famously beautiful young woman - I don't follow these things, but the magazine covers suggest there are lots of those - saying "My poor child has been through so much and needs a Dad. I will do anything for you if you marry me. (My wife has to die some noble and tragic death for this to happen)." And I say "No, thank you."
4 comments:
My mother used to always tell me that when we make ourselves available, God will always use us. You and your wife have made yourselves available and therefore .....
Your nephew is blessed to have you.
Oh no, don't tell me you are one of those men with the "desire a pretty, young thing" syndrome.
It's not a syndrome. It's hardwired into all males. The best treatment is having to listen to them. Irritation easily overwhelms lust as one ages.
I think it fits perfectly with you hodge-podge gift of hospitality.
Bless you, AVI. As Will Rogers said "politics is applesauce." Lovingly raising a kid improves the world more than a thousand speeches! Your nephew is a lucky kid to have you and your wife in his life.
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