Sunday, July 18, 2010

Perfect Moment Monday:Family Ties

A few weeks ago we (Mister, the kids and I) went out to his parents' house for the weekend. They live out in the country about an hour and a half away, and we enjoy visiting. Handsome Man loves to run around in their big back yard, and we all enjoy taking dips in the pool. My in-laws are the type of people that are just very easy to be around. I never feel like I have to be "on my best behavior" or perfect in any way. There are rarely any scheduled events on these lazy weekends; we're free to just do what feels right: take a dip in the pool, a nap, a snack, read a book, go for an outing to one of the many nearby wineries, farms, or drive into town for a movie or shopping. Mostly we just all like being in one another's company. Not many people can say this about their in laws. I know I am lucky.

On our latest visit, I was sitting in the kitchen with my mother in law. She was holding her newest grandchild, Grace, and just marveling at her beauty--(who wouldn't?)--and beaming with love and pride. She was taking in all her features: her gorgeous, long eyelashes (must have gotten those from Mister) her auburn-tinged hair (where did that come from? Maybe from my father?) when my MIL said off-handedly, "well, I just hope for her sake she doesn't get my nose!" I smiled and looked at her for a moment as she continued gazing at Grace--then she looked up at me and met my eyes. Suddenly we both burst into laughter. Of course, Grace won't have her grandmother's nose. Because Mister was adopted.

But that's the thing: the bonds of love within this family run deeper than DNA. They love their adopted child and their biological children completely and with no preference. The legacy of their love for their child (Mister) will live on through our children, both adopted and and biological. It is not a legacy of chromosomes and genetic traits, it's the legacy of love that matters most.

13 comments:

luna said...

this is lovely, frenchie. what a wonderful family, and what a way to spend the day!

Lori Lavender Luz said...

I love the twist in this little vignette. And how strong family ties are.

You've made me smile.

Rachel said...

Hi I popped over from Weebles ... that is a perfect moment, and a awesome story..... I have step children and the other day someone said that my daughter was the spitting image of me my husband laughed and said " ye everyone says that"

Suzy, Not a Fertile Myrtle said...

Visiting from Weebles.

That is truly perfect!

Kir said...

I love your blog...I am here from PMMs, but I'd like to follow.

I loved this post!!!! written with so much honesty and love and humor..and "things that go beyond DNA"
WOW!!!!

happy Monday!!!

Kristin said...

That is truly an awesome moment.

Unknown said...

Beautiful. I love how you draw a picture of how family .. feelings.. love is so much stronger than any labels, any DNA. Lovely.

Rachel said...

Loved this...for all the times my siblings and I might have been told the same thing by relatives "who knew better" in relation to our grandfather. (Dad was adopted.)

Kami said...

I clicked on the link being a bit afraid I would leave envious of someone else's genetic connection to their child, but still curious to find out what I may be missing out on.

What a lovely twist and a happy story. Thanks for sharing!

Delenn said...

Beautiful story and so true--bonds of love are more than blood.

Anonymous said...

Hello, found you on Weebles..That is a wonderful story! I love it that there are such deep connections. What a great picture of real, true love. :)

Sheri said...

I related to this story as there are many adoptive ties in my family as well.

I loved how you explained how "the bonds of love within this family run deeper than DNA." That is true in my family as well and for that I am very grateful.

Thanks for sharing your Perfect Moment.

-- visiting from Weebles Wobblog!

Just me said...

What a great post. :)

<3